PARLIAMENT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 13 July 1907, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

I'tiJDAY, JULY 12.

% Telegraph—Per Press Association.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Tile Council met at 2.30.

Replying lo tin; lion. .Mr Paul, the Attorney-General siid til.- charges for lostage oi! the ollicial year-book and ">thor Government publications would n.'ceu'e consideration with a view to reduction. ADDRESS-IX-RE PLY.

Hon. Mr LOCViiIXAN said in Cac matter of naval defence, the whole country would applaud the decision of the Pnuicr to continue the subsidy. He recognised that the tariff contained many anomalies which should be rectilied, and tbought ill iL sonic substantial relief niiiiht be given to workers through the reduction of the tariff on the necessaries of life. He approved of the Government bind proposals. The Ji on. Mr BARR, in speaking on the Imperial Conference, *aid honors had been conferred on tho Premier, but the highest tribute was tint his work in England met with the approval of the people of the colony. With reference to the tarilf, he would like to see something practical done in this way of relieving -taxation on the necessaries of life. j'e advocated the removal of the duties upon Hour and sugar. The abolition of the sugar duty would not only cheapen that commodity, but many other articles in which it was largely used. Inferring to the Pure Food Bill, he pointed out in that connection the gre.it necessity for pure and lionest manufactures, so that articles labelled '"made in Mew Zealand" would be everywhere appreciated. The State ought to carry coal ill State-owned vessels, and gnploy its own men in every department of lhe coal industry. In touching on arbitration, he urged caution and honesty in dealing with the amendment, and took occasion to strenuously refute Mr Rigg's idea that strikes should be permitted. The Council adjourned till Tuesday next. I \ \

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

SOUTH AFRICAN TREATY. The House resumed at 7.30. The Minister for Customs moved the second reading of the South African Customs RatiJicatiou Bill, which ratifies the Act of last year and makes tae Treaty'operative for another term. Air MILLAR said if the Treaty was not ratified, the South African market would be closed against Mew Zealand. Mr MASSE 1 approved any policy for the extension of our markets, but whilst customs duties had to be paid

on some Me'.v Zealand goods exported to South Africa, Britain admitted these commodities fr-.e. He argued that in any Treaty made with an outride country, provision should be made for admitting British goods to New Zealand on the s.uuu basis as that laid dowif, in such treaty- it appeared as if uo increase in trade would result unless they subsidised a line of steamers at a cost of £30,000 per annum, and i'arliament would never do that. He eontended that our ostrich feather industry ought to be protected. The PREMIER stated it was not possible to secure a sulUcient quantity ot feathers iroiu Auckland to supply tlu local market, in the maiu lie agreed with Mr Massev that treatment similar to that provided in treaties should be granted British goods, and practically this was tho case under the treaty before the House. Mr HURRIES said there was a direct lino of steamers running from South Africa to Mew Zealand, but not from Mew Zealand to South Africa. Our trade could not develop under the circumstances. Mr AJTKEX said the British market was going to be our market for the next half century at any rate, if Hot longer, and if we were going to lo.se the British market, our prosperity as a Dominion would be at an end. lie urged that whatever terms were given South Africa should be given Great Britain, and by granting such a suggestion the Minister would do more to cement the Motherland to the colony than anything yet done. He pressed for the admission of British manufactured to- • baeco under the same conditions as South African tobacco.

lion. Mr MILLAR, in reply, agre/.t'dj that the British was the best lnarfcef/ the colony had at present, but it might not always be so. Siberia was iu competition in the butter market, and experts who had been travelling round the world said it would not be very long before the Argentine would be a strong competitor also. These competitors would make Mew Zealand's position position less secure in tho future, anljj for that reason the colony should look round for fresh markets.

The second reading was agreed to ~n the voices, and the Bill was put through the committee stage ■> without amendment and passed. PUKE FOOD BILL.

The Pure Food Bill was taken in Committee.

The LEADER of the Opposition desired that it should be referred to a special Committee.

The MINISTER said that could not be done. The Bill bad been circulated, and he was wilting to give the fullest information possible. Clauses 1 and 2 then passed. At clause 3, empowering the Government to appoint analysts, Mr Aitken urged that the work could not be carried out by tiie present Government analysts.

The MINISTER said the increased work might mean an increase in the. analysts' remuneration.

Clause 3 passed, in clause 4 the Minister moved an amendment limiting tile Inspector's right of entry and inspection to any place where there is atn y food or drug which he has reasonab'e' ground to believe i.-, intended for sale. "This was agreed to- al.-;o an amendment empowering the in.-peetor to seize any io-.:d or drug "whenever found.'' Tb • Mini>ter mo\cd a sub-section empowerug the inspector to inspect any food or drag whenever found whi'-h he has reasonable grounds for !>•■dieving is intended for sale,

Mr IZARD considered section 8G of ilie Public Health Act gave higher pow«rs than proposed by the amendment. The MINISTER, in answer to a question, considered tho Hill covered the case of goods which had left the possession of the seller, and were in possession of the buyer.

Mr iZAUD contended that, under the Bill, therewas no power to follow diseased meat from the seller to the buyer. The MIXISTKII said the Bill gave full power for an officer to relieve the buyer of a diseased purchase.

The new clause was inserted. Clauses 5 and C were passed, and progress reported. Tlie Ilouse rose at 12.10 a.m.