PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1099, 19 August 1873, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Mr Vogel has stated in the House that the Government propose to substitute for the former tariff an uniform ad valorem duty of 10 per cent, with some exceptions. [' • : , ; I

The Provincial Loans Empowering Bill has been a first time.

Mr Vogel in moving the second reading of the Tariff Bill, said there was a misconception throughout the country regarding the new tariff. The Government would ask the House to sanction an uniform ad valorem tariff of 10 per cent, and pass the bill through all its stages. But the Government proposed to exempt certain articles such as lead, copper, brass, iron in pigs and bars, sheet iron, and writing paper not less than demy size. • Mr Rolleston said the ad valorem system would encourage fraud. Mr Stafford said the ad valorem system would encourage the importation of inferior goods. The local industries should be fostered, and certain common agricultural implements should be admitted free.

Mr Reynolds said the. mp.rr.antile community were mistaken regarding the effect of tha new tariff; that consumers would prevent the importation of inferior goods. The new tariff was expected to produce £IO,OOO to £20,000 addititional revenue.

Mr Poarce suggested that time should be allowed for the consideration of th new tariff.

Mr Reader Wood opposed the tariff. Mr Hunter said the best plan would be to place the tariff on a few simble articles, and admit others free.

Mr Shepherd (Otago) said the objections to the new tariff were from traders, not from consumers.

In reply to Mr Tairoa, Mr McLean said that a special Act would be necessary to obtain a reversal of the attainer for treason by natives involving a forfeiture of land.

Mr Vogel announced that the Government would withdraw the Electoral Bills, and bring in others abolishing miners rights qualification an substituting manhood suffrage with registration and education qualification. Mr Fitzherbert characterised the Financial Statement as chaotic, and a proof that the Government had no mind or policy of its own. Credit was taken wh«re none was due. The making a loan of four per cent was really an expensive operation to the colony. The system of putting colonial loans on the Australian market he condemned as damaging to the credit of the colony in England. The Statement was a reversal of the policy of 1871, but had no sincerity in it. The proposals for the provinces to borrow were fenced with such restrictions that they could not do so except at ruinous rates. Regarding public works the colony received little for the money spent, and the proposals could be summed up as " grab—all." The land provisions for the provinces giving double the amount of land as security for railways was alarming, and the result would be that the land would be locked up in Government's hands and not settled. This remarkable Statement contained only one cold paragraph on immigration. The Government failed in the work of settlement. If carried out their proposals might make a trunk railway, but no roads, bridges, ,or local works, ?nd consequently no settlement, and without this the colony would be dead. In reply to Mr Pearce, Mr Vogel said that though the Government might consider the proposals to reduce the duty on some articles to five per cent, yet they thought the duty should be uniform. A return of allowances paid to the Governor anuually for forage hae been laid before the House. In 1869 it was £lB2 10. In the years 1870-71-72 and 73 it was £3OO for each year. The reception of the Duke of Ddinburgh in 1569, cost £9,000 j in 1870, £6OO.