THE RECIPROCITY TREATY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81848, 15 September 1906, Page 3

THE RECIPROCITY TREATY.

DEBATE IN FEDERAL PARLIAMENT. PRELIMINARY MOTION CARRIED. Melbourne, September 14. During the debate, Mr Hughes objected to the treaty because it imposed £IOO,OOO increased taxation to the burdens already heavy . Mr Wilks contended that it was a ' mere huckstering bargain, not cunceived in a real spirit of reciprocity. Mr Bruce Smith urged that New Zealand had broken its contract byreferring the treaty to a Select Committee.

After the defeat of Mr Cook's amendment, Mr Kelly (New South Wales) moved as an amendment the words "provided that on imports, the product of the United Kingdom, there shall be collected no duty additional to that fixed by the Customs Act of 1902." He said he wished to test the bona fides of those who declared themselves in favour of preference with the Mother Country. The amendment was negatived by 2S to u.

The motion by Mr Deakin. a preliminary resolution affirming tinprinciple of the treaty, was then put and carried on the voices. Mr Deakin denied that the New Zealand Government had broken its compact. It had referred the traty to a permanent committee to which all such questions were remitted.

PREFERENCE TO BRITAIN. INITIATION 01- RECPROCITY. Received 14th, n.<) p.m. Melbourne, September 14. 11l the House of Representatives, ducussingthe proposal to give preference to Britain b) raising the duties against foreigners, S>r \V. Lyne. explaining, said this was intended merely as the initiation of a great policy. He hoped eventually there would be reciprocity with Britain. ll' proposed first to put a general resolution to test the feelings uf the House, which could afterwards deal with each item in the schedule. i DEBATE ADJOU RNED. Received 15th, 1.3 a.m. Melbourne. September 14. After amendment* by Mr C ook, favouring remitting on British tv>od> British goods the ten per centum added to the market value of fcreign importations, and by Mr Johnson, affirming the desirability of preference, based on reduction of duties on British imports, had been negatived, the debate on the prefernc proposals was adjournd.