THE TARIFF.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXX, Issue 8493, 24 July 1907, Page 5

THE TARIFF.

DUTY ONf IRON PIPES. PROTEST FROM MASTERTON BOROUGH COUNCIL. The recent announcement by Sir Joeeph Ward in his Budget Speech that the duty on imported iron pipes of a greater diameter than five inches would be increased from 5 per cent, to 20 per cent., came in for some criticism at the meeting of the Masterton Borough Council last evening. The Engineer (Mr D. Dobson) in a report drew the Council's attention to the matter. He stated that as it was imperative for the Council to use cast iron pipes of a larger diameter than five inches for water, gas and drainage, the increased duty would press very seriously upon the Council in the cost of works that are proposed to be carried out. In the drainage extensions in view in the Borough the difference in duty would make a difference of £I,OOO in the cost. The Engineer was of opinion that the new duty was of sufficient importance to demand the attention of the whole ' of the local bodies in the colony, and that joint action should be taken by them to induce the Government to continue the old rate of 5 per cent., if it is not possible to even reduce that. ! The Town Clerk (Mr R. Brown) ' in a letter to the Council, said it was a matter which very seriously affected local bodies throughout the ! colony, and he understood would also hit the mining industry hard. ' It was hardly conceivable that the ' alteration was made in the inter- | ests of the Wanganui Spiral Pipe Company, and if the increase was [ for revenue purposes, surely taxation ' might be increased on articles of luxury, and not on the necessities of the people. A deputation was being ' arranged to interview the Minister on ' the matter, and Mr Brown suggested the appointment of a delegate by the I Council to join the deputation. He \ also suggested that the Municipal * Association and Mr A. W. Hogg, ! M-H.R., be telegraphed to asking i their assistance in the matter. I Cr Temple said he was pleased that the matter had been brought forward. He could not see why the tariff on iron pipes had been altered. The Government had taken the duty off some articles and increased it on others, which was like taking money out of one pocket and putting it in another. He considered that the increase in duty was going to be a serious thing for all local bodies, especially for Masterton, in view of the proposed drainage extension. He moved "that the Council enter an emphatic protest against the increase in the duty on iron pipes, that Mr Hogg be informed of the protest, and that the Council seek the cooperation of all the local bodies in the colony in the matter." Cr Pragnell seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. On the motion of Cr Pauling, it was decided to appoint the May( r as the Council's delegate on the deputation, which is to wait on the Minister with reference to the increased duty.