THE ESTIMATES.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 August 1920, Page 5

THE ESTIMATES.

' CUSTOMS AND MARINE. DISCUSSION IN PARLIAMENT. By Telegraph.—Frew Association. Wellington, Last Night. On the conclusion of the debate on the defence policy, the House of Representatives to-night considered further items in the Estimates Customs, Harbors, and Marine, etc. (£257,933), were first discussed. Replying to Mr. Fraser, the Hon. Sir William Herries said the Customs Department was granting 'licenses for export to foreign countries of foodstuffs, which did not consist of butter or did not contain sugar. Mr. Wilford moved an amendment that the vote be reduced by £IO,OOO as nn indication that the Customs duties should be reduced, and put upon larger estates, large incomes, and death duties.; The amendment was defeated by 31 votes to 16. \ SHIP TO REPLACE AMOKURA. \ Discussing the Marine vote, in reply to an enquiry by Mr. P. TraSer, the. Hon. Sir William Herries said that the New Zealand Government had been offered a ship by the Imperial, authorities to replace* the Amokura, bufi It was found that the necessary altera-i tions would cost almost as much as the r value of the ship as it was an -old ship. Captain Hooper, who was making enquiries at Home in connection with this matter, vorommended that the alterations slvi ]i! not be made. The flov eminent . . I indicated to the Home authorities: that a ship of the minesweeping class would be acceptable, but there had been no result. They were now waiting for Captain Hooper to return, when his advice woilld be taken as to whether the Amokura could advantageously be refitted. The vote was passed at 1.15 a.m. THE LABOR VOTE. The discussion on the labor vote of £40,589 was commenced, after a protest by th? Labor Party against taking such an important department at so late an hour. Replying to Mr. Fraser, the Hon. Sir William Herries said an effort would be made to speed up the work of tho Arbitration Court. The vote wa3 passed, and the House fose at 1.30 a.m.