GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2849, 1 August 1895, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. The Council met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday. grand juries. The Attorney-General, referring to the motion of Mr McGregor relative to the abolition of grand juries, said that the Government would bo unable this session to give effect to the motion, and he therefore suggested that it should be withdrawn.—Mr McGregor agreed to this course. THE CRIMINAL CODE. The Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill was put through its final stages. ADOPTION OF CHILDREN. The Adoption of Children Bill passed through Committee without material amendment. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES. After further debate Dr Pollen’s hostile amendment to the second reading of the Contagious Diseases Act Repeal Bill was carried by 20 to 11, and the Bill was thus thrown out. The Council rose at 3.40 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday, REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. Replying to questions it was stated that a vote would be asked for planting forest trees on the waste lands of the Crown; that the question of granting a small subsidy to assist dairy factories be con idered ; that a vote would be asked for the purpose of taansformiug Mount Cook Gaol, Wellington, into an asylum; that it was proposed to make it compulsory that agricultural text books should be used in the schools in rural districts; that the Martini-Henry rifles by the Tainui would be distributed as judiciously as possible, aud that the Government were doing their best to arm the whole of the New Zealand forces with this class of weapon ; that the Government had communicated with the Home Government urging that a Civil Division of the New Zealand Cross for acts of braver y should be instituted ; that the Government Licensing Bill would be brought down next day ; that it was not desirable to bum firewood instead of coal on the railway engines on the New Zealand lines; that regulations would shortly be brought in relating to police promotion. THE COUNCIL’S AMENDMENT TO THE CRIMINAL CODE.

The Premier moved that the House disagree with the amendment made by the Council in the Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill, and that a committee consisting of Sir Robert Stout, Mr Bell, and the mover, be appointed to draw up reasons. The motion was agreed to, and the House rose at 5.30 p.m. The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. THE FINANCIAL STATEMENT.

The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer de' livored the Financial Statement, of which the following is a summary :

In congratulating the House upon th e satisfactory result of the year’s finances’ the Treasurer said that besriug in mind the low prices obtained for our staple products and the great reduction in the spending power of the people, it is cheering to find that financially the colony occupies a strong position. Several changes have been made in the form of the public accounts, with a view to enabling the public to more clearly understand the finances of the colony and to avert adverse criticism, which the Treasurer states, has undoubtedly tend in the past to injure and discredit the colony.

HEVENUE ACCOUNT I' - Oil THE VEAII. The estimate of revenue for the year was placed at £4,235,000, exclusive of £117,800 to be received to provide for accretions of sinking funds payable during the year. The actual receipts came to £4,281,995, or £40,995 m excess of the estimate. This estimate had been prepared in view of a falling revenue, and had accordingly been reduced by £133,538 below the actual receipts of the preceding year, yet the revenue had exceeded the Treasurer’s forecast by £85,500. A deficiency of over £55,000 had been allowed for in the Customs receipts. This, however, had been exceeded by £30,225, duo no doubt to caution and the hesitation exhibited by importers who narrowed their orders down to the smallest possible (margin, which was only natural in the face of the adjustment of the tariff in the near future, to say nothing of the very low and uuremunerative prices for produce, which regulate the business transactions in most parts of the colony. The Treasurer accounts for the falling off of £17,251 in railway receipts chiefly by a groat reduction in grain traffic, the export of grain having been 2,000,009 bushels less than that of the previous year; and in the damage done to the railway lines by Hoods. There were, however, items of revenue on which there was a considerable increase over the estimate, notably from the sale of stamps (which showed an increase of £39,000), land and income tax (which showoU an increase of £20,000), and territorial receipts (which showed an increase of £20,000 over the estimate). As compared with the estimates the total amount underspent on the year’s transactions was £83,000, the principal savings being effected in interest and sinking fund charges, £27,000 ; postal and telegraphs, £14,000; laud and survey, £15,000 ; and miscellaneous for stamp duty, £9OOO. On the other hand, £4592 was over-expended in respect of subsidies under the Hospitals and Charitable Aid Institutions Act, owing tc extra contributions to hospitals and charitable institutions. EESUI.TH OE THE YEAR 1894-95.

On the 31st March, 1894, the books were closed with a not surplus of £290,288, to which add receipts for the past year amounting to £4,400,575, making a total of £4,090,753, and deducting therefrom tho ordinary expenditure amounting to £4,200,429, there remained a b dance of £430,024, out of which amount of £250,000 was applied in aid of the Public Works Fund, leaving a not surplus of £180,034 at the close of tho financial year, a result which must be gratifying to members, and must add to the general stability of the country. l l ilLl'' WOIUvS I'U.VI). Tho Treasurer stated tljat as tho money for expenditure on public works was now contributed by tho Consolidated Fund, ho had under consideration tho question whether Fart I. of the Public Works Fu ;d should be retained as a separate account or not. £250,000 had during tho last yea:' h<‘cu provided by revenue, and other receipts amounted to .{’03,949. The expenditure on public works amounted to £370,182. Adding tho receipts, £313,01'.}, to tho balance, £2(9!,058 at tho commencement of the ye:ir } and deducting £:>(,)« ,1.-i 2 of expenditure, lucre iemainod a balance of £2(18,525 on the 31st March last, against which £22.1,07(1 of liabilities were outstanding. Tho loan money belonging to tho North Island Main Trunk Hallway was steadily disappearing. The balance (■> ooimuence the year wbh was £79,197, to which was added a small recovery of £l2 belonging to the former year’s expenditure, Uu

tlig other side there had been charged the sum of £52,004, leaving a cash balance at the close of the year of £20,004, against which £14,007 of liabilities have been incurred. THE CONVERSION ACCOUNT, The conversion operations of last year resulted in a further issue of £787,25810s of 3£ per cent, inscribed stock, which towards the close of the year began to sell at over par. The inscription of this stock enabled £398,900 of various debentures to be converted, and £283,300 of loans to be redeemed, leaving (after paying expenses) a balance of £40,193, which will be used to complete the operations, LOANS TO LOCAL LOUIES ACCOUNT. Up to the 31st March last the amount raised for granting loans to local bodies was £048,083, and for granting for reading was £110,918. I'heso amounts with the sum of £89,800 due to public works amounted to a total of £834,800. Experience had shown that owing to absentees, to the indifference of ratepayers and to other causes, the existing law exhibited defects and difficulties which should bo removed, and during the present session an attempt will be made to consolidate and amend the existing Acts. The principal feature of t he proposal will be that the machinery to cary out all the steps in regard to obtain a loan will be found embodied in the Bill. In this way would be done away with the different, and at times conflicting processes which the various local authorities have to consider and carry out, NEW NEALAND CONSOLS ACCOUNT.

There had been twenty deposits inscribed, amounting to the sum of £158,025, of which £158,000 had been invested iu securities yielding 4 per cent, rate of interest. Of this sum £150,000 was inscribed by the Bank of New Zealand as a special investment of a portion of the second guaranteed million by an arrangement with the bank. In the event of the public desiring to make deposits in excess of the limit fixed by law, this arrangement provided that the £150,000 referred to, or any portion thereof, should be transferred to the investing public. At the time the investment was made the Bank of Now Zealand was desirous of finding suitable investments in New Zealand Government securities for the balance i f the guaranteed million, in order that they might be held with coin as a reserve against liabilities in accordance with law, FULLIG DEBT. The public debt was increased during the year by the sum of £360,549. It now stood at a total of £40,386,964. Of the increase over £400,000 was for the purpose of making advances to local bodies, for improvement of laud, the purchase of native lands and lands for settlement. The interest which the Treasury had to pay upon those loans was considerably exceeded by the receipts received from the transactions leading to the raising of the loans. '' he net debt on the 31st March was £39,635,032, an increase of £560,541 as against the previous year.

INDUSTRIES AND COMMERCE. To assist the industries of the colony the Government have been making inquiries as to markets for our surplus products. An expert was sent to London to push the timber trade, and by the reports received from the agont-General there is no doubt that a considerable trade could be opened up in New Zealand woods for street paving, for carriagebin diug, furniture-making, and other uses. Trial shipments have been se't to Loudon from Auckland and the West Coast of the South Island, and a shipment is now being despatched to the Capo of Good Hope. It is confidently expected that these may prove the forerunner of large orders. LAND AND INCOME TAX. The revenue collected during the year was £370,000, beiug £20,000 iu excess of the estimate. The amount of land tax outstanding on 31st March 1895, was £472, all of which was made up of sums for various reasons not immediately recoverable. In order to remedy defects in the law relating to the taxing of native lauds occupied by European teuauts, the Government have determined to bring in an amendment of the Act. Former Colonial Treasurers in past years hud collected taxes at dates to suit the require ments of the colony, aud this without the adverse aud extraordinary criticisms to which my action last year was subjected However, as unexpected animadversions, calulated to seriously affect the financial position of the country, wore made against the alteration in the date of the collection of the laud tax last year I deem it essential to prevent the possibility of such adverse criticisms again boiug'possible from similar causes. Under these circumstances I have deemed it advisable, iu the best interests of the country, to prepare a measure to permanently fix the date for collecting this tax. DEPARTMENT OE AGRICULTURE. Though the prices obtained during last year for all products had beou lower than for many years, yet the impetus given to the daily industry by cool storage, aud a proper system of grading, promise to produce far bettor results. During the coming year the Government will start dairy schools with the view of further improving the industry. The shipping of live stock and chilled meat have now been successfully demonstrated. POST OFFICE SAVINGS BANKS. During the year the withdrawals had exceeded the deposits by £15,702 Is sd. There was au abnormal increase of deposits during the first quarter of this year, largely due to the reduced rate of interest paid by the various financial institutions. GOVERNMENT INSURANCE. The condition of the Government Insurance Department continues to aftord every satisfaction. The funds to the present date amount to £2,300,000. The new business for the year amounted to £729,013. PUBLIC TRUST OEEICE, Tho best index to the public confidence in tho office is iu the increase iu tho number aud value of the estates placed in tho office by wills or instruments of trust, and those properties at the close of the financial year had increased iu number from 381 to 302, and iu value from £543,238 to £580,813. Dy the Act the functions of this important office are so clearly defined, and the powers of the Dublin Trustee so enlarged, as to render tho office capable of affording services of a wider scope and of being more attractive for tho purpose for which it is mainly designed. ADVANCES to SETTLERS. Tho total api lications to tho 30th .Juno dealt with by tho Hoard wore 1002, for £559,855, and of those 9G5 wore granted for loans amounting to £3;>4,907. VISIN'- INDPSTKV. With a view of affording encouragement for tho expenditure of capital on mining in outlying districts, it is proposed to introduce a I’d] to provide for granting areas for a limited lime to persons with sufficient capital t > enable thorn to carry on prospecting opr-ralions on a largo scale. It is also proposed to increase the° subsidy payable to individual pros pector.s under the cxi.ting regulations, in order to encourage mining associations and local b' dies to send out prospecting parties in their respective districts.

LAND FOR SETTLEMENT. The total territorial revenue for the year on current and new transactions was £316,160 11s 9d, an increase on that for the previous year of £3107 4s lOd. There is an increase in the arrears due to the Crown of £3783 5s lid, which is due no doubt to the low prices for stock and produce which have prevailed during the past year. During the coming year the Government will offer for selection some very good lands in the Awarua block, and others in other portions of the colony, for which many people are waiting. It is expected that some of the recent acquirements in what is known as the King Country will be sufficiently advanced as to survey and reading to be thrown open. IMPROVED FARM SETTLEMENTS. Up to the present date eighteen settlements have been formed, the area set aside being 21,202 acres, which will be allotted to 193 settlers; but up to the 31st of March the actual allotment of 9730 acres to 107 settlors only had been completed. The area already felled is 4048 acres, and the area grassed is 14C9 acres. The amount advanced to settlers up to the 3ist March was £5698 4s lid, and the value of the improvements on the land, including * the Government advances, was £6964 19s 3d. It is intended to introduce the half-time system into all these settlements so soon as it can be arranged. Several are already under it, and it is hoped by this means to find sufficient employment for the settlers to keep them going, whilst at the same time allowing them time to improve their farms. It is believed that the system just started will offer to those who are not iu a position to secure lands otherwise, a chance of obtaining a home, and at the same time relieve the labor market from congestion. LAND FOR SETTLEMENTS ACT. The estates purchased and arranged to be purchased number 18, with a total area of 53,701 acres, at an estimated coat of £195,591 2s 4d, plus whatever additional coat there may be for surveying and a little reading. At the present time there are several desirable estates under offer with which the Land Purchase Board will soon proceed to deal.

RECU’OCITV WITH OTHER COLONIES. The Government, believing in the true policy of reciprocity, subject to ratification by Parliament, entered into reciprocal tariffs with South Australia and Canada, by which interchange can be effected with them of some of their products. An agreement had been made with South Australia by which that colony would accept free of duty barley, oats, horses, and hops, and New Zealand agrees to accept free from South Australia wine, olive oil, dried and fresh fruit, and there was an understanding that the admission of wine to this country will cease should prohibition at any time become the law of the laud. The main features of the treaty with Canada are that there will be a free market between Canada and New Zealand for wool and woollen manufactures, blankets, tweeds, rugs, flannels, live stock, frozen and fresh meats, bacon and hams, fish, hides, condensed or preserved milk, flax, barley, oats or wheat, flour, seeds, binder twine, coal kerosene oil, safes, organs, and piauofort es, tallow lumber, and timber. In addition to the articles on the free list named above, concessions in favor of the following articles are made—should a duty be placed in Now Zealand upon agricultural implements they are to be admitted free from Canada, and a concession of 2k per cent, below the general tariff' rates is also provided upon twine of all kinds, ropes, and cordage. As Canada is a large manufacturer and exporter of binder twine, ropes, and cordage, the competition which will ensue in this country in that industry will remove any friction that may have existed, and insure at least a fair value upon this article. There will also be a deduction equal to 10 per cent, off the Customs tariff upon leather, and 5 per cent, upon boots and shoes, harness and saddlery between the two countries. The Treasurer estimated that he would not have to provide during the current year for more than a sum of £II,OOO to make up for any deficiency that might arise as the result of the concessions of duty on such articles. To enable the trade between Canada and New Zealand to be successfully carried on it was considered advisable that regular steam communication between the two countries should bo established. With this view an agreement between the Canadian Pacific Steamship Company and the Government would be submitted to the House for approval. It is proposed that the line of steamers should run either to Auckland or Wellington, and in return for a monthly service to be conducted with a view to necessary expedition and accommodation touching at Fiji and Honolulu, to give thei company a subsidy of £20,000 per annum for a period of years to be fixed. In the memorandum referred to in the accompanying note, respecting the improved commercial relations, and reciprocal tariff regulations as agreed upon in conference, held informally in Ottawa, on the 10th June, 1805, between Sir McKenzie Dowell, Premier, and the Hon. George Foster, Finance Minister, as representing the Canadian interests, and the Hon. J. G. Ward, Treasurer, as representing Now Zealand interests, subject to the approval of the Government and Legislatures of Canada and New Zealand respectively, the following named articles, when the produce or manufacture of Now Zealand and imported direct therefrom into Canada, and when the produce or manufacture of Canada and imported direct therefrom into Now Zealand, are to be admitted in both cases free of customs duties :—viz —(1) animals (live) except hogs, <2) frozen or fresh meats, (3) bacon and hams, (4) fish, (5) hides, (G) milk condensed or preserved, (7) wool and manufactures composed wholly or in part thereof, viz ; blankets, flannels, tweeds and rugs, (8) flax (phormium), (O)barloy, (10) oats, (11) wheat and wheat flour, (12) seed, (13) coil, (11) kerosene oil (petroleum), (15) safes, (1G) organs and pianofortes, (1 7) tallow, (18) lumber and timber, planks, boards and dimensions stuff's (rough or manufactured), including doors, sashes and blinds (10) binder twine. The following articles when imported under like conditions and in like manner to receive in both countries preferential treatment as follows, viz (1) Agricultural implements, including also axes, hatchets, scythes, forks, rakes, hoes, shovels ami spades, if made dutiable under the general tariff to be free ; (2), twines of all kinds, ropes ami cordage, a rale equal to 2 ; \ per cent, ad vlorem less than the general tariff rates current at date of importation j (3), leather, a rate equal to 10 per cent, off the rate current at date of importation ; (I) boots and shoos, harness and saddlery at 17 i per cent., ad valorem, or if the general rate in both countries bo 25 per cent the preferential rate to bo 20 per cent. ; (si, furniture at 20 per cent, ad valorem. Asn omiMit made this 22nd day of February, 1895, between the Hon. .Joseph George Ward Treasurer, acting fur the Government of Now Zea T

land, of the one part, and the Hon. Chaa, Cameron Kingston, AttorneyGeneral, acting for the Government of South Australia, of the other part, whereby it is agreed as follows :—That is to say (1) during the term of this agreement South Australia i.hall admit duty free the goods rofeired to in the first schedule, the produce of Now Zealand; (2) during the term of this agreemen t New Zealand shall admit duty free the goods referred to in the secoudschedule, theproducts of South Australia; (3) during the term of this agreement neither New Zealand nor South Australia shall reduce the existing duties leviable on the goods referred to in the said schedule the produce of any other country or colony; (4) this agreement to commence on Ist May next ensuing, and continue for seven years from such date, subject to determination by one year’s notice on either side; (5) schedule I—goods to be admitted duty free by South Australia—barley, oats, houses ; schedule 2—goods to be admitted duty free by New Zealand—wine, olive oil, salt; (6) for the purpose of giving effect to this agreement until fully authorised by an Act, each colony will refund any duty collected on goods herein agreed to be admitted duty free ; (7) either party to have the right to cancel this agreement by notice to each other any time on or before noon of Wednesday, 6th February, 1896.—J. G. Ward, C. C. Kingston. It is hereby further agreed subject to confirmation as per original agreement, that the following commodities shall be included in the arrangement for free interchange between New Zealand and South Australia, namely, New Zealand to admit free of duty South Australian grown fresh and dried fruits, South Australia to admit free of duty New Zealand hops; South Australian grown grapes to be guaranteed free of disease, in event of disease to be prohibited until free of disease. For New Zealand, J. G. Ward ; for South Australia, J, H. Gordon, Chief Secretary. INSCRIBED STOCK. A saving has been effected of £3600 per annum on the cost of management of our inscribed stock with the Bank of England EXTINGUISHING THE PUBLIC DEBT. Referring to the advantages that would follow a general conversion of our stock into three per cents, the Treasurer stated that the large annual saving in interest thus obtained would repay our indebtedness, and it would give greater stability to this country were the Government, when the right time arrived, to adopt an effective system for the extinction of our indebtedness. THE MILLION AND A-HALE LOAN.

In respect of the one million and a-half loan the result was found to be satisfactory. Applications for £5,960,400 at prices varying from £IOO to £9O were sent in, and of these about 33 per cent, of the tenders at £94 8s were accepted, those above that price being allotted in full. The average price realised was £94 8s 9d, and the amount payable was £1,416,601 2s. Now, hou. gentlemen may think that as the raising of this loan was attended with so much success the oprration itself was of a simple character, but I can assure you that such was by no means the case. In the first place the determination to fix a lower rate of interest for our new loan caused, as you may imagine, great anxiety, and was only decided upon after the most careful consideration. X shall not be accused of divulging matters of a confidential nature when I assure the House that some of the highest financiers in London were of opinion that a 3 per cent loan would not be likely to prove successful. It is my pleasurable duty to state that our loan agents were indefatigable and untiring in their exertions to insure the success of the loan, after we had decided upon the rate and the minimum price of issue, and in connection with the splendid result I am not desirous of taking to myself any credit which properly belongs to them. I have also to thank the governor of the Bank of England for his valuable advice and assistance, to the General Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, then in London, and to the local manager, I am also indebted for the courtesy and information they so willingly extended to me. LOCAL BODIES LOANS. The Government proposed, after due notice had been given, to readjust the lending rates of the Government departments, and to lake the necessary steps to relieve such loial bodies as have funds provided from these institutions for carrying on their finance. LOCAL GOVERNMENT. The Hon. the Premier will at an rarly date submit for the consideration of the House important proposals for the improvement of local government in this colony. It was proposed to take over the main roads of the colony, and relievo local bodies entirely of this work.

Mr Ward moved resolutions to give effect to the proposed alteration in the tariff. He said that he was following the usual custom in asking the House now to agree to the now duties. The discussion on the whole Financial Statement would be taken at a later date.

Resolutions euom the Committee ov Ways and Means.

Customs duties.—Resolved that there should be levied, collected, and paid to and for the use of Her Majesty upon the undermentioned goods, wares, and merchandise, on importation in New Zealand, or on being cleared from warehouse for Home consumption, at the time of making a perfect entry therefor, on and after the 31st day of July, 1895, the several altered or additional duties of Customs undermentioned, namely : Candied peel and drained peel, 3d the lb ; confectionery, chocolate in plain trade packages, 3d the lb ; confectionery in fancy packages or small boxes for retail sale, £25 per cent, ad valorem; fruits (fresh), namely, currants, raspberries, gooseberries, blackberries, and strawberries, id the lb ; fruits preserved in juice or syrup, £25 per cent, ad valorem ; fruits preserved by sulphurous acid, Id the lb j gelatine, liquorice, cayenne popper, uarraway seeds aiicl isinglass, £2O percent. ad valorem ; jollies, solidified or tablet, 4d the lb ; pickles, 3s the imperial gallon; sautes, 4s the imperial gallon ; rice and rice Hour, 4s the cwt; rice malt, Id the lb ; vinegar, Gd the gallon up to 5 per cent, of acidity and Id additional 1 per cent tho gallon; ale, beer, porter, cider, and perry, 2s the gallon ; spoils, the strength of which can bo ascertained by Syko’s hydrometer in bulk, IGs the proof gallon ; spirits in bulk, swoelonol or mixed, also cordials, bitters, and liqueurs in bulk, His the liquid gallon ; coffee, raw, 2d the 11); coffee, essence, £2O per cent, ad valorem; syrups, raspberry win-gar, £25 per cent, ad valorem ; tea in bulk, 5d per lb ; tea in packets for retail sale, Gd per lb; acid, acidic, Id the lb for every 10 per cent, of acidity ; drugs not otherwise enumerated, £2O per cent, ad valorem ; tinctures and medicinal spirits containing more than 50 per cent, proof spirit on and after the Ist January, 1 S9G, Is the lb; tinctures and medicinal spiric jjoutainipg loss than 50 per cent, proof spirit on aud lifter the Ist January, 181)0,

, fld the lb; druggists’ sundries and apothecaries wares not otherwise enumerated, £2O per cent, ad valorem ; chemicals, not otherwise enumerated, £2O per cent, ad valorem ; baking powder, £2O per cent, ad valorem ; essences flavouring, spirituous, IGsthegallan ; glycerine refined, £2O per cent, ad valorem ; saccharine (except in the form of tabloids or tablets), Is 0J the oz; articles of apparel made by British or foreign tailors to the order of residents in the colony and intended for the individual use of such residents, whether imported by the residents themselves or through an importing firm, rate of duty £4O per cent, ad valorem ; hats and caps £25 per cent, ad valorem ; cotton piece goods not otherwise enumerated, including shirtings, £lO per cent, ad valorem; cotton piece goods, namely, tapestry, cretonnes, chintz, art crape, frieze, velvets, damasks, towelings, prints, Moquette,Utrecht and Genoa velvets, muslins, all kinds window nets, laces, hollands and blinds, diapers in piece,cotton tick and colored Belgian cotton tick, £2O per cent; flannelettes,also flannel shirtings, imitation flannel, raised cotton and soft spun piece goods, £2O per cent, ad valorem; union shirtings, without distinction of value, £2O per cent, ad valorem ; lace of all kinds, except gold and silver lace for military trimmings, £25 per cent, ad valorem; boots and shoes, slippers, goloshes, clogs and pattens, vamps, uppers and laces, £25 per cent, ad valorem; heel and toe stiffeners and plates, £25 per cent, ad valorem; bags of leather or leather cloth, £25 per cent, ad valorem; harness and saddlery whips and whip thongs, £25 per cent ad valorem ; leather, viz., belting and belt leather, harness, bridles, leggings, bag kip (other than East India), buff split, 4d the lb; cordovan levant leather, roans, sheepskins, morocco not otherwise enumerated, basil, sole leather, 3d per lb; East India kip, Persian lamb skins and t goat skins,dressed (other than morocco), kangaroo and wallabi (dressed), stained and colored calf, 2d per lb; leather not otherwise enumerated, Id the lb ; leather, chamois, £2O per cent ad valorem ; leather, board or corapo, 4d the lb; leather cut into shapes, £25 per cent ad valorem ; leather leggings, £25 per cent ad valorem; leather manufactures not otherwise enumerated, £25 per cent ad valorem ; portmanteaux, trunks, other than iron, travelling and carpet bags, £25 per cent ad valorem ; carpets, druggets, floorcloth, mats and matting, £2O per cent ad valorem; furniture, knife and plate powder and polish, £2O per cent ad valorem; bricks of all kinds, £2O per cent ad valorem; glassware, also glass plate, polished, colored and other kinds not otherwise enumerated, and globes and chimneys for lamps, £2O per cent, ad valorem; lamps, lanterns, and lamp wick, £2O per cent, ad valorem ; artificial flies, £25 per cent, ad valorem ; jewellery (including precious stones cut or uncut), greenstone cut and polished, £25 per cent, ad valorem; musical instruments of all kinds £2O per cent, nd valorem ; perfumed spirits, £llos the gallon ; pictures, paintings, drawings, engravings, and photographs, picture and photo frames and mounts, £2O per cent ad valorem ; pipes, tobacco, cigar and cigarette holders and cases, cigarette papers and cases, £25 per cent ad valorem ; plate, gold or silver, £25 per cent, ad valorem; calendars and show cards of all kinds, £25 per cent, ad valorem; card-board boxes complete,or card board cut and shaped for boxes, £25 per cent, ad valorem; newspaper supplements, £25 per cent ad valorem; directories of New Zealand, or any part thereof, 25 per cent ad valorem; stereotypes and matrices, £25 per cent, ad valorem ; printed matter relating to patent or proprietory medicines, trade catalogues, and price lists for firms or persons in the colony, £25 per cent, ad valorem; stationery manufactures, viz., account books, manuscript books, billhead, invoice and statement forms, printed on ruled paper, counter books, cheques and draft forms, tags and labels, blotting pads, sketch books, copying letter books, manifold writers, albums, other than for photos, diaries plain or faintlined, ruled books, printed window tickets, either printed, lithographed or embossed stationery and Christmas, New Year, Birthday and other similar cards and booklets, £25 per cent ad valorem; stationery and writing paper not otherwise enumerated, £2O per cent ad valorem ; paper wrapping,viz., blue candle glazedcap glazed, casiugs, small-hand, lumber-hand, and tissue, Gs cwt ; paper wrapping (other kinds including brown , cartridge, and sugar papers), 5s cwt; cartridges, 10 to 24-bore, 3s per 100 ; cartridge cases, Is 3d per 100 cartridges; not otherwise enumerated, £2O per cent ad valorem ; copying presses, £2O per cent ad valorem; weighing machines, £2O per cent ad valorem ; firearms, £2O per cent ad valorem; gasometers and other apparatus for gasworks, £2O per cent ad valorem; iron fencing wire, Gd the cwt; iron barbed wire, Is the cwt; wooden ware and turnery, veneers, £2O per cent ad valorem : traction engines, £2O per cent ad valorem; traction engines, £2O per cent ad valorem; kerosene, 5d the gallon ; axle grease aud solid lubricants, £2O per cent ad valorem ; paints and colors ground in oil, 3s per cwt; paints aud colors mixed ready for use, Gd per cwt; varnish and gold size 2s the gallon; tarpaulins, touts, rick and wagon covers, aprons and elevators for reaping and binding machines, £2O per cent ad valorem; horned cattle, 10s each ; horses £1 each ; linseed, £2 the ton; onions, £1 the ton ; potatoes (except for seed purposes) £1 the ton ; prepared calf meal £1 5s the ton; brooms aud brushes and brushware not otherwise enumerated, £25 per cent ad valorem ; corks cut (including bungs), f £2O per per cent ad valorem ; flock £lO per cent ad valorem ; marble, granite, aud other stone, dressed or polished, and articles made therefrom, £25 per cent ad valorem ; matches, wax “ plaid vestas ” in cardboard boxes containing under 100 matches, Is the gross; “ pocket vestas ” in tin or other boxes containing under 100 matches, 1s Gd the gross ; “ sportsman’s,” “ ovals,” and “ No. 4 tin vestas,” in boxes containing not more than 200 matches, 4s the gross; other kinds for every 100 matches or fraction thereof contained in one box, 2s the gross ; aausagj skins, 31 the lb (including in brine or salt) ; spirits, methylated in the colony, G 1 the gallon. In addition to any duty chargeable by law on any goods imported into the colony, a further duty of 20 per cent ad valorem shall be charged when the goods are prison-made. The customs duties now levied on the undermentioned articles are to bo abolished from the 31st inst.—Names of articles— Mutton birds, manures, alumina, sulphate of hlucstono or sulphate of copper, catechum or Kntch, chloride of calcium, iron sulphates, gall nuts, potassium, cyanide of potassium,chlorate sala mouiac, I soda acetate, soda ash, soda nitrate, soda siliciato, sodium, sulphate and sulphide of I sulphur, turmeric, turebino, zinc chloride, surgical and dental instruments, and appliances, scientific and assay balances, | retorts, flasks, and oilier appliances 1 for chemical analyses and assay work, liatmakofs’ materials, namely, hat leathers, hat linings, hat blocks, moulds, frames, ventilators, tassaie, lace, gold

and silver for military clothing, canvas of linen or flax, hessian plain or striped, crochet, darning, and knitting cottons, and angola mendings, tailors’ trimmings. The following items are to be substituted for those in Schedule B of the Act of 1888, namely :—Plain, colored, and imitation ha r cloth, canvas plain, Verona and Ita'ian cloth, buckram, wadding and padding, silk, worsted, and cotton bindings and braids, stay binding, silesias, drab, slate, and brown jeans, pocketiugs, slate and black unions, slate and black linens, umbrella makers’ materials, namely, gloria and satin dechine not less than 44in, in width, also piece goods other than those mentioned in Schedule B of the Act, 1888, on such conditions as the Commissioner may approve, furskins green or sun-dried, bootmakers’ canvas (plain and colored), saddlers’collar lining known as collar check and the same article plain, cork soles and sock soles, carpenters’ baskets, bottles empty, plain glass not being cut or ground, jars not exceeding Sin. in diameter at the month, jars containing free goods or goods subject to fixed rates of duly provided they are the ordinary commercial packages for such goods, sensitised surfaces for photographic purposes, zinc plates and engraved glass plates for photolithographic work, magic lanterns and lenses and slides for same, musical instruments specially imported for volunteer bands, microscopes and astronomical telescopes, cloth-lined boards not less than royal, cloth-lined paper and enamelled paper not less than demy, hand-made cheque paper, ivorite gelatine and metallic paper not less than demy, butter paper known as parchment paper and wax paper, band saws and folding saws including frames, bicycle and tricycle fittings in the rough and not machined, bolts 5-inch by and under and nuts for the same, the exemption in schedule B of the Act of 1888 in favour of bolts and nuis for carriage making and ship-building to be withdrawn, butchers’ saws and cleavers, sheep shears, reaping hooks, soldering irons, paperhaugers’ scissors, picks, mattocks, and quartz and knapping hammers, caps percussion, chaff-cuttors, corn-crushers, corn-shellers, and seedcleaners, crucibles, platinum, buckles of all kinds, emery grinding machines, iron drums (empty) not exceeding 10 gallons in capacity, eyelets,fishhooks, blacksmiths’ fans, iron and brass wove wire and wire gauze, iron and zinc, perforated or cellular sheets, engines for dairies, machine pumps for mines, machines for flour mills, woollen mills, rope and twine making, dredging, sawmilliug, planing and wood-working (including lathes), scythe handles, set screws, engineers’ studs and split pins, spiral springs, steam and hydraulic pressure and vacuum gauges, furnace flues, tinsmiths’ fittings to include stamped or blocked tin, unplained timber, namely, lancewood unwrought, wooden tubs of all kinds, carriage iron fittings, excluding Steans, lamp irons, dash irons and seat rails, wooden handles for tools, shale oil once run suitable for gas making, turpentine and driers, woolpacks and woolpockets, apparatus and appliances for teaching purposes as may be approved by the Commissioner, hawsers 12iu and over, netmakers’ cotton twine, brushes for cream separators, card clothing for woollen mills, couch roll jackets, machine wires, beater bar and trainer plates for paper mills, aniline dyes, belting for machinery other than leather belting, jute bagging, sacks, bags, paper-makers’ felts, tea-packinglead, tubular woven cotton cloth, official supplies for consular officers of countries where a similar exemption exists in favor of British consuls, spirits rendered nonpotable by manufacture into perfumery, etc., this exemption to cease after the 31st December, 1895. The resolutions were agreed to on the voices. The House rose at 9.45 p.m.