PARLIAMENTARY.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 October 1927, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY.

(By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) THE HOUSE. TARIFF BILL PASSED. WELLINGTON, Oct. 15. In the House this afternoon after the transaction of formal business, the members proceeded to further consider the revision of the tariff. Postponed items were amended as the Minister desired, with the addition that sewing machines are to be admitted free from any country. The tariff originally provided for free admission from the British Empire, with 10 per cent duty from foreign countries. On the final item being passed, the Minister received a hearty round of applause. A lengthy third reading debate took place, lasting till 1.52 a.m., when the bill was read the third time and passed. The House then rose till 7.30 on Monday evening.

TIMBER DUTIES. WELLINGTON, Oct. 13. The Government’s amended proposal for giving greater protection to the timber industry was circulated this afternoon. The Minister for Customs, according to the proposal, is to ha given power to direct that sawn, dressed timber shall lie measured as if the thickness had been increased by such an amount as lie may prescribe, the addition not to exceed either three-sixteentlis of an inch, or 20. per cent, cf the actual thickness. In the original proposal in the Customs Bill the minimum that might he added was one-eightli of an inch.