THE COMMONWEALTH TARIFF

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 61, 24 October 1907, Page 3

THE COMMONWEALTH TARIFF

THE DEBATE. Melbourne, October 23. The tariff debuts ia proceeding. An amendment, moved by Mr Glynn, to exercise the preferential rate on candles raised a discussion on preferential trade. Sir \\. Lyne, Minister for Customs, said the promise of the Government on the question had been honestly carried out in the tariff schedule Owing to the combination of the press anvt the existence of a cable syndicate, Australians only received from England news which had been censored by that syndi<*U or its representative in London. The reported feeling of Great Britain against the preference did not exist, and otner statements made were not true representation of British feeling ot today. The preferential proposals of the Government were not intended to be regarded in the nature of a bargain, although, he admitted, he would like to ■>e? the feeling reciprocated. The preference offered was not of a mythical nature some members affected to bew >,' if rCsult " as on 'y to trans,Zj™. °'" e ? one-third of our foreign trade to Bntam, it would forward the i!*° f the Em P ire " Ths tariff would offer preference of H per cent in favor of Brita-n. That was very considerab|. preferenee. He cou'd not se e why Bnrain should not admit Australian wines free, or nearly free. Such a policy would not raise the price of br tJ d " anything else to the people. Mr Glynn withdrew his amendment. Mr Reid condemned the Government's in ; ™*al terms Mr Deakin, Premier, repudiated the m,.nuat,on that he had W-,„ connect,,l with the present opposition to the tariff m England either directly or indirectlv. ♦LT f ISe ° f thfl close<l "ol the Conference that he and his colleague bad turned to the open doors. If eve? there were a body that had a right to appeal to the people it was that Conference Unless it took place in full sight of the P*°ple of England and Australia, it would fad m its aim. and it had taued m its aim. Anyone who would refer to the speeches made at outside gatherings would find they were on subjects treated of at the Conference, so that without any breach of confidence something was given to the public of what was taking place. So stronff howevtr was tie "Little Englande?" feeling that it was only at the last moment after having shut, Ranged and narred the door against an Imperial union for Imperial ends, that an offer was made to accept a meaningless resolution, which thev declined to take. As to the All Red route, he Continued, although our interests were small, be had supported it on account of its Imperial character He believed that the preference proposals was incomplete as •t was: but immature as it must be. it was the best that could be ttone and was an instalment in that sense. The debate was adjourned.

MANUFACTURERS URGE PROTECTION. Received Oct. 23, 11.57 p.m. _ Sydney, October 23. The conference of Chambers of Manufacturers adopted resolutions in favor of ellicient protection to all Australian industries, and preference to Britain, .