THE PASSING OF THE TARIFF.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 82, 27 August 1873, Page 3

THE PASSING OF THE TARIFF.

The debate was characterised by considerable warmth.

The chief struggle was on the schedules. The Government proposed a uniform 10 per cent., ad valorem scale. Mr. Johnston, of Manawatu, moved an amendment of 74 per cent. He showed from the statement furnished by th Government, based on invoices, that 10 per cent., would give on last year’s revenue £72,000 increase; 74 per cent., would still leave a margin of £20,000. Mr. Reader Wood read a telegram from the importers of hardware in Auckland, showing that 74 per cent., was equitable; also from the drapers, advising the same; also from Mr. Isaacs, showing that the duties paid on axes, &c., that day amounted to £5O, which would have been £l2 under the old tariff. On cutlery that day he had paid £4 2s, which would be four shillings under the old tariff. He supported the amendment.

Mr. Clark read a letter from his firm, showing that the £5,000 paid in two years on the imports of the firm would be £11,700 under the new tariff.

After considerable debate Mr. Vogel stated that the Government would make it a ministerial question, and would live or die by the tariff. Great irritation was caused by this challenge. Mr. Bunny assailed the Government in a slashing speech. He proved from their own statement that they did not require additional •revenue.

Mr. Gillies supported the amendment, and urged that from their own data the Government showed they had made miscalculations a second time.

The discussion was general and hot. The members generally condemned the unwarranted action of the Government in making it a Ministerial question to compel support against convictions.

On division the 10 per cent., tariff was carried by 42 against 18. " The following is the division list: —For 10 per ■cent, tariff —Andrew, Atkinson, Bathgate, Bluett, •J C. Brown, Brice, Buckland, Bell, Carrington, Fox, Harrison, T. Henderson, Hunter, Jackson Katene, T. Kelly, W. Kelly, Kenny, Macandrew,, McGillivray, McGlashan, McLean, Mervyn, Tribe, O’Connor, O’Neill, Ormond, O Rorke, Paruta, Parker, C. Pearce, Reeves, Reynolds, Richardson, Richmond, T. L. Shepherd, Stewart, Studholme, Tairoa, Vogel, Webb, Cuthbertson. For 74 per cent, tariff—Brandon, J. C. Brown, Clarke, Curtis, Gillies, Johnston, Munroe, J. B. Parker, Rolleston, Sheehan, J. Shepherd, Stafford, Swanson, Takamoana, Thomson, White, Wilson, Wood.

The remainder of the schedule passed without contest.

Severe struggles ensued by individual members to add articles to the free list, and throughout the debate the House was flooded with telegrams. Mr. Swanson fought like a lion for the hatters, and obtained exemption for almost all their requisites. He deserves to be kept in bell-toppers by the Auckland manufacturers for the rest of his natural life.

Mr. Gillies obtained from the Government exemption of upholsterers’ requisites, hair, stuffing, &c., in compliance with a telegram from the upholsterers of Auckland. All exemptions added were owing to the exertions of Auckland members. The results of the tariff are that 10 per cent will be charged on all goods before specified except fancy biscuits, which are to be charged 2d per lb.; boiled sugars, comfits, lozenges, Scotch mixtures and sugar candy, 2d per lb.; rope, cordage, and twine, 5s per cwt.; solid worth 6d per lb. The following is the list of exemptions Hog skins and all fittings for saddlery; silver mounting, shellac, and felt woods for hats; hair seating, curled hair, upholsterers*, webbing and metal, lead, copper, brass, and tin in pigs, bars or sheets, common or flock sheet non; saddle-trees, halters, silk plush, card and millboards, -bookbinders’ cloth; writing paper, demy size and larger, in original packages and uncut edges. The Tariff Bill was read a third time and passed.