HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2489, 23 June 1888, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

FRIDAY. Tho House met at 2.30. The Customs Unties Bill was further considered in committee, tiie Minister of Public Works taking charge of the Bill in the absence of the Premier. Globes and chimneys for lamps, 15 per cent. : Mr Seddon moved to exempt elcctric light lamps. Lost on the voices. Grindery : Hon. Mr Uitchelson said it was intended to admit all grindery free, except heel and toe plates. Haberdashery, not otherwise enumerated, 20 per cent.

Harness. 20 per c;iit. : Dr. Ilodgkinson moved tn reduce if. to 15. Lost by 4.1 to 27.

Hats, 20 per cent. : Mr Beetham moved a reduction to 15 per cent. Lost by 50 to 23.

Hessians, 15 per cent., was struck out by (>2 to 15, in order to place it on free list.

Hoisery, not otherwise enumerated, 20 per cent. : Mr Barron moved a reduction to 15 per cent. The free-traders, ho said, were only testing a few items in the tariff, as they considered it hopeless to contest them in detail, and they were anxious to save the time of the Committee. —Mr Peacock thought that the free traders, having made their protest, should lie content with that.--Mr Beetha.ni snid it was evidently useless dividing on these items, and lie was content with having made a protest against the tariff. —The amendment was lost on the voices.

Iron biidges ana! iron material, not otherwise enumerated, forconstruction of bridges, wharves, jetties and patent slips, 20 par cent. Passed.

Barbed fencing wire, 2s per cwt. Mr Fulton moved to reduce this to Is. Considerable discussion ensued, many niumlier.s urging that this duty would press heavily on farming interests. Oil the other hand it was contended that this wire, with little encouragement, could be'm ami fact u red in the colony of sufficiently high stamp to supplant the imported article. To this it was replied that the colonial wire was of poor quality and price of imported material was falling rapidly, out Messrs Fish, Hislop, Turn'iull and others challenged tho accuracy of the former contention. On a division, the item was retained by .'!!) to 35. Iron nails, 2s per cwt : Hon. MrMitchclgnn promised to reconsider this item, with a view of increasing the duty.

Icon pipos (wrought), 5 per cent: On the motion of Mr Pereival, fitting; for the same wero included in the item.

Jewellery, 15 per cent: Hon. Mr Mitchelson said it would be reconsidered, as several members spoke strongly in favour of materially raising the duty. lioather : Several members asked to have this item in all its branches held over. Hon. Mr Mitcholson intimated that all leather duties would be reconsidered. Machinery, not otherwise enumerated 20 per cent. : The Hon. Mr Mitchelson said this item also would have to bo reconsidered. Tho House then adjourned at 5.30. The House resumed at 7.30. Maizena and cornflour ; wooden matches, Is per gross : Hon, Mr Mitchelson promised to reconsider these. Metal manufactures, 20 per cent: Altered so as to include bolts and nuts of whatever size, and passed, although several attempts were made to strike out various articles, anil several divisions took place. Preserved milk, 20 per cent. : Item retained. Trimmed hats, caps, and bonnets, 25 per cent. : Hon. Mr Mitchelson proposed to strike it out. but on the voices it was retained. Codliver oil, 15 per cent., was struck out. Patent and proprietary medicines, 25 per cent. : In answer to a question, Hon. Mr Mitchelson said the item did not include sheep dip, which it was intended to place on the free list. Pearl ash and potash, 15 por cent. : Struck out.

Pepper (unground), 2d per lb: Held over.

Pictorial calendars, &c., 25 per cent: Mr Fitcliett asked the Government to consider tho propriety of including theatrical illustrated posters. Hon. Mr Mitehvlson returned .'i favourable replv. The date on which this was to cnn.c into fore was altered to January, 18S!). Provisions preserved, 20 per cent. : Preserved was struck out, in order to include butter, cheese, etc.

Pumps and other apparatus for raising water, 20 per cent. : Woids "not otherwise enumerated" were added.

Railway and tramway plant, 20 per cent. : Sir J. Hall asked that it should be postponed, as it would materially interfere with the Midland Railway.—Hon. Mr Mitchelson said prices were much lower now, and no injury would accrue.—After some discussion it passed.

Rice, (is per 1091 hs : Item passed. Salt, oxcopt rock salt, £1 per ton : Hon. Mr Mitchelson said he proposed to except coarse salt also.—Mr Russell moved to strike the item out altogether. Mr Seddon wanted to know whether this was a compromise with those opposed to the duty un tea (cries of oh ! oh !). Ho understood it had been considered and decided on in the Cabinet. Mr Turnbull hoped Ministers would pay no attention to a member who wanted to bring conversations in lobby upon the floor of the House. Hon. Mr I'ergus said Mr Seddon had evidently misrepresented what had taken place. It was a private conversation between himself aud two other members in which Mr Seddon had joined, but ho never said an arrangement had been made, nor had there beon.

(Left sitting.)