DELIVERING THE STATEMENT. HOW IT WAS RECEIVED. PROTECTIONISTS SATISFIED.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 269, 2 June 1888, Page 5

DELIVERING THE STATEMENT. HOW IT WAS RECEIVED. P ROTECTIONISTS SAT I SFIE D.

The galleiies wore crowded last evening, bub the attendance of members on the lloor oi the House was not. so large at might have been expected. The House did not meet till eight o'clock, and up till that time the Colonial Treasurer was busily engaged revising the Statement, and mailing necessary alterations. He read the Statement from proof sheets covered with eiasures and interlineations, and it wa >. nearly ten o'clock before the telegraph operators had the corrected sheets from which to wire the Statement out. Owing to this fact the transmission of messages to morning papers, must have been considerable delayed. Sir Henry Atkinson explained that only with the greatest difficulty had hy the Statement leady in time no as not to disappoint the House. The reading of the Statement occupied five minutes over the hour. The announcement of the tax on tea was received with marks of disapproval, and it was evident that the country members ate not satisfied with it as a local subsidy. The reference to the pi im•m>g duty of one per cent, on all articles imported, whether tree or dutiable, in order to meet the deficit, was also received with an appearance of surprise. The applause at the conclusion of the Statement was- not participated in to any extent by the Opposition, but when the tariff was received they showed their approval by hearty and continued applause, and it was evident that tho protection proposed far exceeded

their expectations. The Colonial Treasurer, in answer to questions, promised that ho 1 would be ready for the Financial debate by Friday evening, and said the tablos show-in"-the picvious tariir and that now proposed, in parallel columns, with other comparative information, would be ready as soon as possible. Mr W. C. Smith and others ur&od the Premier to remember that the price of floods would bo raised to the public atoneo, and even if the House re duced the duties, and the tax was lofunded to tradespeople, tho customers would not be recouped what they had overpaid. The Colonial Tiear-urer promised to hasten the discussion as much as possible, and said tho gentlemen who had spoken could show their sincerity by supporting him.