THE CUSTOMS TARIFF.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 277, 30 June 1888, Page 5

THE CUSTOMS TARIFF.

Tiik committal of the Customs Duties Bill wa^ i canned at tlie item ot tai-jiauliii^, Lent!-, rick and waggon covers., aprons, and olevntoih tor reaping and binding machines, 15 per cent., winch was agreed to. Tea, 6d per lb : (^iptain Russell moved that tin-, duty bo struck out, u'iLh a \ icw to the .substitution of the old duty ot 4d. Ho said ho did not move on Ihe ground of iioetrade principles, but because he considered that the duty oi 6d would take C3()0,000 a year out of the pockets of the people tor ever and tor ever. lie was satisfied that rotienohmont could be uariicd to such tin extent as to avoid the necessity toi the dut\. hi answer to the Chairman. Captain Unwell said his motion was dimply that the proposed duly be struck out. Mi Taylor thought chat a halt-penny should be added fo the property tax lather than tea should lie taxed at all. Some contusion arose as to the real nature of the question before the Committee. The Premier said it was easy for Captain Russell to talk about retienchment when he was able to do .so without any henr-e oi responsibility. Members must undetvtand that the tea duty was an integral pait o£ the Budget, and if it were reduced the Co\ eminent would have to consider how far the Budget was destroyed. If Captain Russell could see his way to extensive retrenchment, he ought to bo in his (the .Premier's) |)lacc. The GoMjinment \yeio not prepared to submit to any reduction of the tea duty. Mr Moss said he hud understood that the tea duty was no part ot the general policj of the Government, but wan merely intended to provide local subsidies if they were uppicned ot. In his opinion it ought to be provided tor in a separate Bill, and the tariff should be postponed until member^ had time to consider the new attitude taken up by the Premier. Captain Uus-011, icplying to some of the Premier's taunts, said he had had special oppoi tunities of judging tno tooling legaidin£ jSovv Zealand in financial circle? at Home, and it was hit deliberate belief that the present tai iff would do more to injine the colonial credit at Home than anything that had been done for a long time. His motion was distinctly for the substitution oC a lav of ad. Diseus&ing Captain Russell's motion that the tea duty ot sixpence pel lb be struck out of the .schedule of the Customs Duties Bill, with a view to the substitution of the former rate of 4d, Mr Seddon expressed the opinion that the €4,000 which had been struck out of the tariff in the salt duty was already more than provided foi by alterations made in the addition of the words " otherwise enumerated " to various items. The tea duty in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania was only 3d per pound, and in Western Australia 4d, in Queensland 6d, and he saw no reason why New Zealand should join the minority. He was satisfied that fully .t'40,000,000 worth of property in the colony escaped taxation, and the object of the Government should be rather to re-adjust the bin dens on a wider basis than to increase them. Mr Cowan would .support a 1 eduction of 2d in duty, but could not asjree to the item being struck out altogether. Mr Hutchison taunted the Government with being wobblers, as they had alreadytaken up three different positions? with regard to the tea duty. He said that the protectionist party, as a whole, would not support the Government in all their tarilV proposals. He consideied the tea duty a most iniquitous proposal, and would therefore follow anybody who proposed its reduction. Mr Duncan opposed the duty. Mr Taylor twitted the free traders with inconsistency, and with having altered then views in order to gain popularity. Mr Seddon maintained that the free traders had acted quite consistently, and that it was i*he members oi the Ministry who had changed front, seeing that every one of them had opposed an increased tea duty in 1885, doing so on account oi their free trade principles. Mr Buchanan opposed the tea tax. Mr Turn bull would support the Government in their financial policy, because he could not expect the Opposition to submit any more acceptable policy. Mr Fulton was opposed to subsidies, and thought it would have been far better for the Government to have come frankly before the House and stated that the circumstances of the country necessitated increased taxation. Mr Baliance thought that the tea duty would be lose objectionable than the proposal to raise the school age, which he understood Captain Russell would advocate, or tho.se for the placing of buildings upon loans or the reduction of property tax exemption. It was thus a question of alternatives. OHicial figures showed that the average cost of tea imported had fallen from Is 4d per lb in 1880 to lO^d in 1886. He disliked the tea duty as proposed, but he thought it better to pay it than to dispense with some I of the services which its rejection would j i necessitate. i Mr Peacock would oppose the tea duty because bethought subsidies should come from a consolidated fund, though not at the same rate as last year, and because he believed that retrenchment could be pursued to a further extent. Mr Fish supported the duty with regret, as he considered it would be a pity if the Government were forced to resign before they had passed the tariff. Mr Menteabb opposed the raising of a special tax through the Customs to' provide for subsidies at a time when the colony was straining every nerve to meet its burdens. Mr R. Reeves regretted that the Government had made the tea duty a party question, and though one of the most staunch protectionists in the House, he would like to see both tea and sugar duties removed altogether. Mr Goldie was satisfied that the whole sum to be raised by the duty would be saved by retrenchment. Classification in the Civil Service was one of the first methods of reduction, and others would bo in connection with the native schools. From £o"o,'000 to £60,000 could be saved without difficulty, and two or three commercial men

could extend retrenchment, evon to £150>000 if not further. The Premier in his Budget speech had plainly left it optional with tho House whether subsidies should be continued, and that tho tea duty was contingent upon thorn. He had already stated that lie would oppose the tea duty, and he would not allow the Government to drag him away from thai position. Mr O'Conor opposed the duty. Mr Cadman classed members of tho Houso in tlneo groups — viz., the froo traders, moderate- pi olcctionh'ls, and radical protectionists. The rremier must look to the last-named class tor support of the tea. duty. blorb 1 or his own part, jib a moderate protectionist pledged only to encouragement of local indu.strieß, he must oppose it. Dr. Hodgkinsou estimated the possibility of retrenchment at €140,000. The Premier said tho position of the Go- \ eminent was quite clear. What he had paid in the Budget with regard to subsidies was that tho Government had come to the conclusion that they must be continued, or the work of tho local bodies would be practically paralysed. The House had rejected the motion of Mr Ormonda callinc for further retrenchment. He had then invited the House to dismiss party considerations as far as possible and promised to consider any reasonable objection that might be made; but he had also .said that he would not submit to having his Kudgot torn to pieces, and that was what he still said. Supporters and opponents must distinctly understand that tho tea duty was an integral part of his policy, and if it was struck out he wouJd immediately move that progress be reported in order that he might consider his position. The Government must have .somo seli-respeet, and they would not bo made a tool of by any party, and as long as they remained in odice they must insist on the I Foiise carrying \\ hat they thought nccefesaiy. The question that the word " tea 1 ' stand as a part of the question was here put and aflirmcd. Captain llussoll then moved that the duty bo reduced from 6d to 4d. A division' was taken upon Captain BusseU's motion, which was negatived by 42 to 35. The division list wib as follows : - A\ i>. iVoj.s. Atkinson Andei&on Bailauee Barrou Blake Beetham Buvlon Bruce Dodsou Buchanan Feldwick Cadnmn Ferguo Cowan b'isher Duncan Fish Frasei Fitchett Fulton Graham (I oldie Hull Giuy Hislop Guinne»s> Hobbh Hutchison Hodgkinson I/ard Jackson Macarbhur Jones Scobie Mackenzie Jo>ee Moss Kelly Newman Koir O'Conoi Lunee Peacock Lai nach Reeves ( J uaugahua) Lawry Musscll LevesVnn Scddon T. Mackenzie Smith Mitchelson Munbeabh Moat Taipu O'Callaghan Taiwhauga Parata Taylor Perceval T. Thompson Pyke Walker W. P. Reeve.- Ward E. Kichardbon White G. F. Richardson Wilson Koss Withy Samuel Seymour W. J. Stewaul \V. L). Stewart R. Thompson Turnbull Valentine Pates. Ayls. Noils. Sir J. Vogel Tanner FiUhoi boi't <!. McKon/.it Loughrey Grimmond liaison Ormond Mills Allen The toa duty was, therefore, declared eai ried. Mr Walker explained that he had promised Mr J. C. Brown to lind him a pair, and as he hud iound himself locked in the Chamber lie had voted as that gentleman would have done. Progress was reported, and the Hou&c adjourned at 5.30 p.m. When the House resumed some time was occupied in discussing a motion by Mr. fcteddon relative to the judgeship, Supply being intercepted. Subsequently the duties on timber wee agreed to. Mr Moss suggested that a line should be inserted imposing- an export duty upon baulk timber. The Premier said he had alieady given the matter some consideration wifchoutbeing able to adopt the proposal He would give it some further consideration, without, however, pledging himself to the imposition of a duty. Tinware and tin stamped into shape, 25 per cent. : The Premier proposed to strike out tho added words, and substitute " and tinsmiths' furniture not otherwise enumerated. ' Tobacco sheep wash rendered unfit for human consumption, 3d per 1b : Mr Bruce moved that this duty be struck out, which was agreed to on the voices with the Premier's consent. Tobacco unmanufactured, 2& 6d per lb : The Premier proposed to reduce the duty to 2s, which was agreed to. The term during which this duty is to be collected was extended to the 31st>of December, 1891, instead of 1890, as originally proposed. Twine, 15 per cent. : The Premier moved to insert the word " binder." This was discussed at great length. Ultimately, a. motion by Sir John Efall to strike out the word " twine" was lost on the voices, and the Premier's amendment was agreed to. Sir John Hall moved that the duly be reduced to 10 per cent., which was lost by 52 to 24. The Premier proposed to insert here a new line — "textile piece goods other than cotton or silk, 20 per cent." lb was inj tended, he oxjDlaincd, that Union shirting should be admitted free up to 7d per yard. \ The motion was agreed to. Vinegar, 6d per gallon : The Premier, replying to Dr. Mtehett, promised to reconsider this item with a view to its excision, .seeing that acetic acid had been struck out. A similar promise was given with regard to wax, paraffin, etc., Id per jib, the precedent having been set by strikingout stearine. Australian wine, os per gallon : Mr Pyke moved to reduce the duty to 3s per gallon. Captain Russell urged the Government to ' allow light wines to be imported at a lower rate than others. The Premier said the proposal had something in it, and he would be glad to consider it. He must, however, ask that the duty be not reduced, Mr Pykes amendment was lost on the voices, and the item was passed as printed. Wooden ware, nob otherwise enumerated, 15 per cent. : Mr Monk asked that the duty should be raised so as to shut out the compotition of American brooms. Nothing was done, however. Woollen piece goods and woollen manufactures not otherwise enumerated, 20 per cent., were struck out on tho motion of the Premier, with a viow to better definition. Wool pockets not exceeding 18 by 21 by SO inches, Is 3d

per dozen : Mr Bruce moved that this item be struck out. The Premier pointed out that this was merely the same as the present tariff, but agreed to take a decision. The motion was lost on the voices. The remaining duties wore passed without amendment, subject, of course, to the promised reconsideration of sundry items by the Government. The Premier moved an addition to the tariff exempting from other duties than primage, machinery which is proved to havo boon ordered here prior to the 30th of May. After some desultory discussion the motion was withdrawn. Schedule B, comprising exemption trom duties, was then considered. The following items were struck out on the motion of the Promier : Seamless calico bags, bolts and nuts (not otherwise enumerated), blank nuts, bolt ends, and coil springs. The following items were added : Anchovies, fire engines, fire bricksof silica, gas enginesand hammers, gelatines, dry plates. The item of "cotton piece goods not otherwise enumerated, and linen, hollands, etc.," was struck out, and the words "so far, and flax sheeting in pieco, the fair market value of which does not exceed 7d the yard," were substituted. In answer to Mr Seddon the Premier promised to reconsider the item of locomotives with a view to placing a duty upon small ones. Progress was reported 'at this stage.

THE CUSTOMS TARIFF. Vury fair progress was made with the tariff ill yesterday's sitting. The rovi&ion of the free list was completed, and the Premier brought down his li.st of amendments on the items that weie reserved for reconsideration. The increased duty ot one halfpenny per lb on fruit and fruit pulp was discussed at very considerable length, and cflorts were made to strike out or reduce the vote, but in vain, and the whole of the items having passed through, the amendments were ordered to be reconsidered on Friday.

FRUIT PULP. The inconsistency ot protectionists of the ITitchetb type received a striking exemplification while the fruit pulp duty was under consideration. l>unedin jam factories use a largequantibyofTasrnanianfruibpulp, which Mr Levestam declared was largely a compound of mashed vegetable and adulterated matter Dr. Fitchebb endeavoured bo persuade the Premier bo reduce the duty of a halfpenny on fruit pulp in tho inbere.sbd of Iho so-called Dunedin industry, bub in vain. Dr. Fitch efct then moved a reduction to the former rate of a farthing", bub it was lost, so the fruit pulp duty must now bear a duty of a halfpenny a pound.

HORSES FOX INDIA. Mu Lawry has been interesting himself in the question of the export of horses to India, and intends to move for any papers or correspondence in the possession of the (.Government relative to the breeding of suitable horses for the Indian market, with a view of its being submitted to the Stock Committee foy the purpose of obtaining fuller information, and, if deemed desirable, a more detailed report on the question of breeding light active horses.