THE HOUSE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXI, Issue 9853, 4 November 1924, Page 5

THE HOUSE

VESTEYS AND DAIRY PRODUCE,

RIGHT TO-HANDLE REFUSED

WELLINGTON, Nov. 3. The House 1 met at 7.30, when the Thomas Gawthron Trust Bill (Mr. Hudson) was read a third time without debate and passed. Replying to Colonel Bell, the Hon. Wi Nosworthy said the application made by Vestey Bros, to handle dairy produce at their works had been refused, the Government recognising that there were ample facilities in this connection already in existence. (Further clauses to the “Washing Up’’ Bill were brought down by Governor’s message and referred to the Lands ComnVitee.

! The following Bills were introduced and read a first time: Legislature Amendment (Mr. Alassey); Housing Amendment (Mr. Fraser); Shearers’ Accommodation Amendment (Mr. Langston!),

CUSTOMS LAW. SHOULD OOTTONPIECE GOODS OO'ME IN FREE? The House then went into committee on the Customs Amendment Bill (No. 2). Three clauses in the Bill passed without comment. Mr. McCombs then moved a new clause, 4, repealing part of clause 4, which would have the effect of admitting certain British-made cotton l , piece goods free of duty. He maintained that this duty was formerly taken off by a- Liberal .administration but was rc-imposcd by the present Government in 1921 with the result that cotton piece goods of British manufacture were now paying a higher duty than foreign silks. The- Minister opposed this now clause on the: ground that this was one of the most complicated parts of the tariff and'the question raised by Air. McCombs had been carefully thought out- and the dropping of the present duty would simply create countless anomalies. Mr. Alassey said it would be a dangerous precedent to seek to amend the Customs Tariff in this way. There would be another revision of the tariff within tho next few years and that would be the proper opportunity to bring down this- amendment. To-' insert the amendment in a Bill removing the tobacco duty would endanger the Bill.

Mr. Girling opposed the amendment, as the present duty would protect the towel making industry, which was about to be 1 started in New Zealand. The whole position was so full of difficulties that the tariff could not safclv be amended in this way.