THE FEDERAL TARIFF.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 281, 29 November 1901, Page 3

THE FEDERAL TARIFF.

SERIOUS EFFECTS ON ISLAND TRADE. I PEE rrass ASSOCIATION Sydney, November 28. The petition to Mr Kingston points out that Sydney is the natural entrepot of the Island trade, the value of the exports from Fiji to New South Wales alone being over 86 per cent, of the whole exports to Australia and New Zealand. Since tho tariff has been in force steamers which previously came laden with fresh fruit have arrived prac'ically empty. The obvious result is that the steamship owners must either relinquish the trade or so increase the freights as to make it unprofitable for Fiji merchants to operate in this market. The duty on Is'and bananas is absolutely prohibitive. Certainly bananas are produced in Northern Queensland, bu l ; by Chinese, and it is urged that it is not the policy of the Federal Government to entourage aliens to rettle in the Commonwealth. Messrs Burns, Philp and Company state that as a result oF the tariff they are communicating with New Zealand, as they find it recessary to open a branch there. Melbourne, November 28. In tbe Federal House Mr Kingston carried a proposal to reduce the duty on candles, raw material us-d in their manufacture, lard »fad r?fined animal fat to a penny per pound.

Mr Watson carried an amendment reducing the duty on cocot, chocolate, cocoa butter, and caramel to a penny per pound.

The duties on coffee, chicory, 'and eggs were carried. Tbe Government agreed to withdraw j I the duty of two shillings on New Zealand oyster* aftor a protest by Sir W.' McMillan that he considered thev had! goie far enough in the way of pro- j hibi ,: n'' New Zealand products. J The Hou3e wss still sitting at a. hte i benr, d s upging the duties on fruits i and veget«b''f=. 1 Received 28,6.5 pm. j Melbourne, Novmber 25. ! The duties mi fruits and vegetables, j in half-pints, quart", aod gallons, were agreed to. Sir W. McMil'an; moved that frirts not otherwise mum- 1 ated be placed on the f r ee list, but this ; was negativeThi Government, how-' ever, accepted Is per cental instead of Is, as prop' sed. The d«!~ate waxed hot, »nd Sir George Turner angrily told: Sir W. McMillan h 6 w u!d not make a' single compromise in the tariff because he might get fruit placed on the free' list instead of accepting the Government offrr of Is per cental. Mr. Watson moved to reduce the duty on bananas >o 6d percental, and the Government accepted Is. Sir W. McMillan vainly asked the Government to adjourn, as the House had bean sitting sinre 10.30 yesterday. He then moved th t tbe chairman leave the chair. A vigorous stonewall followed, the intention of the Opposition bang 'o prevent the rrtsumpt'on of ' e debate on the Tariff Bill un'il th s uf'oinoon. Received 28,10.15 p.m.

Melbourne, November 28. I The stonewall in the tariff debate wa* kept going till the luncheon adjournment. On resuming at 2 o'clock hour was spent in an explanation of the position by both sides. Sir W. McMillin said he was satis-1 tied with the manner in which the Op- ] positiou bad so forcibly expressed its! prot c st against the action of the Government, and he withdrew his motion, i Consideration of the tariff was then resumed. \ Received 29, 1.13 a.m. Melbourne, November 28. Duties of Is 6d per cental on wheat and malting barley were passed after an a'tempt to place the former on the free list. The Government agree! to a reduction to a half-penny per pound on oitmeal, rolled oats, wheat meal, pearl barlev, and Scotch barley. Mr Watson carried an amendment reducing the duty on and cornflour to a half-penny. Bran, pollard, and sharps I°, and grain and pulse not elsewhere inoluded 2s 6d per cental, were passed,