PARLIAMENTARY

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2911, 30 May 1888, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY

House of Representatives.

TUESDAY, MAY 29.

The House met at 2.30,

The Public Petitions Committee reported upon the petition of Mr R. C. Shearman, that they were of opinion that the Government had dealt withthe case in a liberal manner, and that the petitioner had no further claim against the Colony. Mr Fish had very little doubt Mr Shearman and other gentlemen similarly situated had no legal claim against the colony, but he thought the Government had carried out their retrenchment policy in a haphazard and lopsided way. Mr Bruce said that in two years Mr Shearman would have had to retire on account of age, and would have been entitled to about £SOO compensation, whereas lie now got £IOOO. Mr Bruce referred to a statement in the petition that Mr Shearman was sent to Auckland because of the incapacity of the then Inspector, Mr Thomson. The evidence, he said, went to show that Mr Thomson had proved himself an exceptionally efficient officer during his connection with the force.

The Minister of Justice said the Government had found the police overofficered, and five inspectors had been dismissed. The Government, he said not the heads of Departments, were responsible for the reductions made. Mr Moss moved that further consideration of the report be postponed. This was carried.

The Codliii Moth Bill was read] a third time and passed. The House, at 5.30, adjourned till 8 o'clock, at which hour the Financial Statement was to be delivered.

EVENING SITTING, The House resumed at 7.30.

FINANCIAL STATEMENT, The Treasurer, having moved tlio House into Committee of Supply, delivered his Financial Statement. He dwelt at starting on the shortness of the recess and the largeness of the amount of work that had to be done. He also referred to the persistent, hostile, and unfair criticism to which the Colony had been subjected in London and elsewhere, and pointed out how much could be said on the other side, and in the Colony's favor. These unfair criticisms were especially to be regretted, partly for their effect on our credit in London, and still more so owing to the extraordinary ignorance of the great mass of the English people of all things relating to the colonies, they tend most materially to turn from our shores that class of settlers we most need and would do best here-men with some capital, who would make profitable use of our waste lands, whether agricultural, pastoral, or mineral. He maintained that the introduction, and settling upon our unoccupied lands of this class of settlers was one of the most important functions of the Legislature and Government of the colony. Li the opinion of the Government the chief financial work which required to be done this session was (1) to see that our ordinary expenditure is reduced to the lowest practicable point; and, this being done, (2) to devise a means to raise sufficient revenue to prevent the recurrence of a deficit, and in doing so, as far as can be done without loss to the community at large, to assist our local industries and manufactures; and (8) to reduce the expenditure of borrowed money on our public works to a much greater extent than was proposed last session. After reviewing in detail the expenditure of the various departments, he said, to summarise, for the convenience of lion, members, the result of my proposals we find that after the reduction of our expenditure by £283,000, the expenditure which we deem necessary is some £70,000 for the year more than our income' from our present sources of revenue, and that to provide school and public buildings from the revenue, an additional £OO,OOO is required. That to continue the subsidies to Local Bodies and to pay them all from the revenue, as must be done if they are to he paid at all, another LG4,000 is necessary, and that for the balance of last years deficit of L 128,000 a sum of L 58,000 must be provided this year, and the balance in the succeeding year. Adding then these several amounts together we find there is required to balance revenue and expenditure LGO,OOO-; to provide for school and public buildings, LOO,000; to provide for the subsidies, LG4,000; and L 58,000 for two years on account of last years deficit of L 128.000. To provide this sum of L 190,000 I have proposed additional Customs duties estimated to yield L 207.000. If the estimate should prove correct we shall have a surplus of L 17,000 so that the margin allowed is none too much. The Committee will rememember that last year the property tax was increased by £05,000, but no alterations were made in the Customs duties. I would desire hero to call particular attention to the fact that of this 1180,000 now proposed to be raised by additional taxation, £107,000 has hitherto been provided from loan, namely, £60,000 for buildings, £32,000 for subsidies, and £15,000 for defence. Hon. Members will no doubt feel with the Government that the proposed additions to our taxation are large, but if after consideration it is found necessary to continue the services named, it is clear the mcney must be found. My endeavor has been to place clearly before the Committee what our real wants are, to point out' what sms are rendering

taxation necessary, and to show how ■ the required funds can, in our opinion,' be best provided. The matter is now in the hands of the Committee. ; have laid before it the material fa™ relating to the'financial position of the Colony as clearly, as fully, and as fairly as I could. If the task has not been as pleasant a one as it would have been if, instead of providing for a v deficit we hadhad to dispose of ahand- , some surplus, we have the satisfaction - of knowing that a searching examina- . tion of the Colony's accounts reveals nothing to make us doubt for a moment its financial soundness; just ; as I believe a Bimilar examination of the material circumstances of the Colony would, in spite of adverse facts, " show beyond doubt its substantial ' prosperity, and I am sure the Committee will agree in the opinion which I hold strongly, that one of the surest . means, or at least the necessary con-.. * dition, of increasing that prosperity is by adhering firmly, at whatever pre- < sent inconvenience, to the sober financial policy of last session.

The Tariff.

Eesolved-That in lieu of the duties of Customs now charged on the under; mentioned articles on importation New Zealaud, or on being cleared fromany warehouse for home consumption, the following duties of Customs shall ■ on and after the thirtieth day of May, one thousand eight huudred and eighty-eight, be charged thereon, and . be paid at the time of making entry namely—Ale, porter, beer of all sorts, - cider and sherry,in bulk Is Gd gallon; per cent ad valorem the gallon ierated and mineral waters}, £2O; bitters, cordials, and liquers, 15s; spirits and strong waters of every kind, and of any strength not exceeding the" strength of proof by Sykes' Hydro- . meter, and so on in proportion for any greater strength,' 153 gallon; spirits and strong waters mixed with any -W ingredient in any proportion excepting • 83 per cent of proof spirit, and although thereby coming under the designation of patent or .proprietary medicines, or under any other designation, 15s gallon; spirits and strong waters, sweetened or mixed so that the degree of strength cannot tained as aforesaid, when not excsjjf" ing the strength of proof, 15s gallon spirits, methylated,. 15s gallon ; spirits in cases shall be charged as follows on and after the Ist December, 1888, namely—two gallons and under as two . gallons; over two gallons and not exceeding three, as three gallons : over three gallons and not exceeding four, as four gallons; and so on for any greater quantity contained in any case; lime andlemon juice sweetened ' or rerated, £2O per cent, ad valorem; syrups, L2O per cent ad valorem; tea, 6d per lb; wine, sparkling, 8s the gallon; wine, Australian, containing oot more than 35 per cent, of , proof spirits 5s gallon; wine, other than sparkling and Australian,' containing less than 40 per cent, of proof spirits, Gs gallon; beef and pork, salted, £2O per cent; biscuits, ship, plain, and unsweetened, 8s cwt; biscuits, other kinds, 2d lb; butter, £2O per cent ad valorem ; chocobtf, confectionery, and all preparation® f' chocolate or cocoa, 3d lb; capers, catsup, cheese, and chutney, £2O per cent ad valorem; confectionery, not otherwise enumerated, 2d lb ; curry powder and paste, £2O per cent ad valorem; drained peel 3d lb; fish dried,, pickled or salted, 10s cwt; fish (including .sardines) potted or preserved, 2d lb, or reputed package of that weight; fruits, preserved, £2O per cwt ad valorem ; fruit pulp, aud partially preserved fruit, id lb; fresh fruit, | lb; glucose, Id lb; preserves, 2d lb; preserved meats and milk, £2O per cent ad valorem; mustard, 2d lb; olives, £2O per cent ad valorem; oysters preserved, £22 per 'cent ad valorem; peas split, 2s cwt; pepper and pimento, unground, 2d lb; pickles 2s dozen pints; provisions, preserved, not otherwise enumerated £2O per per cent ad valorem; raspberry vinegar £2O Iper cent ad valorem; rice and rice flour Gs per 1001b; rice undressed and dressed in bond 4s

|001b; rice manufactured into SfcarflL in bond 2g 1001b; salt except rock Mp ton; sauces 120 per cent ad valorem; vegetables, fresh, dried, or preserved £2O per cent ad valorem; opium £2 lb; cigars, cigarettes and snuff 7s lb; paints and colors mixed ready for use 8s cwt; paints and colors ground in oil 2s cwt; soap common 5s cwt; starch 2d the lb; stealing l|d lb; varnish Is Od gallon; brushware not otherwise described £2O; bellows except forge £ls; buckets and tubs of wood £2O; cabinetwareand furniture £25; mantelpieces £2O ; upholstery not otherwise remunerated £25; harmoniums and pianofortes L2O per cent; baskets and wickcrware, L2O per cent; boots, shoes, slippers, galoshes, clogs and pattens, not otherwise enumerated, L2O per cent ad val; harness and saddlery L2O per cent ad val.; leather belting and belt harness, bridle, lagging, and belt leather Gdlb; _ kip and hides 3d lb ; skinsjjfo 2d lb; not otherwise enumejjJ\, ted including sole leather Id If Chaff£l ton; potash £ls per cent; stationery, manufactured, including account books, billheads, etc,, £25 per cent; writing ink L2O per cent; bags 7s Gd cwt ; paper, brown wrapping, is cwt; other kinds wrapping paper, 5s cwt; pictorial calendars, show cards, etc., on and after Ist December, 1888, L 25 per cent ad val; cordage, viz,, coil rope, sscwt; white lines 10s cwt; not otherwise enumerated7s 6dcwt; earthenware, stoneware, and brownware, L2O per cent ad val; china L2O percent; ready-made clothing and all articles made up, wholly or in part, trimmed bonnets, cud's and collars, drapery made up, L 25 per cent ; drapery not otherwise enumerated, furs, feathers, haberdashery, hats and caps, L2O per cent, millinery L 25 per cent; blankets, rugs, shawls, hosiery, woollen piece goods, other texile piece goods, cotton, linen, silk, holland, and otgL textile manufactures not otherww enumerated, L2O per cent; machinery, metal manufactures, chaffcutters, tire engines and hose, L2O per cent; gas pipes L 5 per cent; galvanised iron manufactures, tinware, japanuedwarQ.Jjf zincware,L2s per cent; iron andzin&v tiles, ridging, guttering, and spouting, iron material for bridges, iron gato^

posts, staples, standards, straining posts, L2O per cent ad val; iron, plain galvanised sheet, LI 10s ton; iron tatsprlOs each; iron tanks of and under 200 gallons, Bs eaclij iron, barbed fencing wire, 2a cwt; iron pipes, wrought., L 5 per cent; pumps, railway and tramway plant, steam engines, L2O per cent; waterworks pipes, L 5 per cent; cement, 2s barrel; carriages, carts, bycicles, L 25 per cent; carriage shafts, spokes, felloes, naves, LIS per cent; flour bags, L2O par cent j cartridges ant) cases, LI 5 per cent; photographic goods, L2O per cent; tarpaulins, covers, LIS per cent. BESOLVED that in the ovent of any of the duties hereby imposed not being confirmed, or of reductions being made in the rates specified above the amounts levied, collected, and paid in excess of -Ihlie duties that may be imposed by the Customs Act based on theso resolutions shall be refunded to the persons who paid the same. Resolved that the duties of customs now charged on tlio under-mentioned articles shall cease, and determine namely artist's canvas colors, brushes, andahllet knives, ash timber, unwrouglit brass tubes, blind tape, bolts and nuts under half an inch in diameter, bags seamless, calicoes, buttons,

braids, tapes, wadding, pir.s, needles, and such minor articles required in the making up of apparel, boots, shoos, , hats, caps, saddlery, umbrellas, parasols and sunshades as may be enumerated in any order of the commissioners of trade and customs, and published in the Gazette. Candles, nuts, and candle nut kernels, candlewicks, materials for cardboard boxes, box papers, carraige and cart shafts, hubs and poles, children's boots), shoes, and slippers Nos. 0 to 3, cotton and linen f' : 'oe goods invoiced at or under od the d, dvestuff, engineers machine tools, is makers moulds, gum, locomotives machinery for agricultural purposes, passengers baggage and effects including only wearing apparel, jewelry, and other personal effects that have been worn, are in use as personal ornament by persons arriviug in the Colony, also tajiriiments, implements, or tools of or employment of such persons, and household effects not exceeding LIOO in value used alnoad for more than a year by the persons or families bringing them to the Colony and not intended for any other persons, tacks ol all kinds, tanning material, yarn, flax, and hemp, Resolved that on all goods, wares, and merchandise imported into the colony there shall be levied and paid at the time of making import entry therefor, a primage duty of one pound per centum on the fair market value thereof in tho country whence the same were exported, as such value is defined iu Uie Customs Laws Consolidation Act

' Resolved that in lieu of the duties of excisQ now charged on the undernientioned goods, there shall, on and after Ist January, 1889, and until the 31st December, 1890, be charged thereon, and be jwid at the time of making en ' r y fcrefor, the following duty, viz., on alPcigars, cigarettes, and snuff manufactured within tho colony Is Gd the pound.