HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2494, 5 July 1888, Page 2

HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES.

WEDNESDAY. The Douse met at 2.30 p.m. Considerable discussion took placn on the report of the Public Petitions Committee on the petition of M.iry Steadinan, Aldis for the repeal of the Contagious Diseases Act. Mr Fish moved that the evidence taken before the committee be printed but several members objected, and the motion was rejected. Sir Harry Atkinson moved that the consideration 'of the Customs Duties Bill, be postponed till half-past seven. Agreed to. Sir Harry Atkinson then moved that the House go into Committee of Supply, for the further consideration of the estimates.

Mr Withy moved as an amendment, "That in the opinion of this House the Government should, if possible during recess, further reduce the public expenditure by £100,000 piT :immin." He disclaimed any any hostile intention to the Government, hut believed, in common with many other member*, that further reductions could ba made. The revenue to be derived from the new Tariff would not be staple, and the Property Tax would fall oil considerably at the next valuation. He felt no shame at belonging to the "Skinflint" Committee, which believed in going through the estimates. There wa» considerable scope for the reduction he moved for, and they should carry tho reductions below what was stated iii the Financial Statement last year. The present resolution was to encourage the Premier in making the total reduction of £300,000 which he had promised. Wages in the public service should be reduced altogether. It was not a popular suagestion, and would probably be resented by the House but they must face the position. He contended that local industries which the new tariff was intended to benefit would be retarded if a fictitious rate of wages was maintained. They had to consider what was tair average wages iiiifJ this would have to engage the serious attention of the Government. Considerable reduction could be made in education and the classification of teachers would promote both economy and efficiency. The school age should be raised, and though the House last session had declared against that, he hoped they would now admit this request was reasonable, and would agree to his resolution.

Mr Hobbs supported the amendment. The Government were paying more than the average rate of wages, and he thought reductions in this respect were practicable. Mr Goldie also supported the amendment, and said the Press throughout the colony had largely advocated further retrenchment, and in doing s" had followed public opinion instead of leading it; Hβ referred at considerable length to the reductions he thought were practicable, and felt convinced £100,000 could be saved in the various Departments. Mr Reeves, (St. Albans), thought £100,000 was too much to ask for, and although he should support the amendment, lie hoped the House would be givon an opportunity to reduce that amount to a reasonable sum. " , Mr Moss thought tho question should be postponed till the House was in a better position to consider it. He sympathised with the Retrenchment Committee on their efforts to elfect economy. Mr Fish thought the amendment was a. waste ot time on Mr Withy's part, and an utter want of confidence in the Government. The debate was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. The House resumed at 7.30. The Customs Dut;e< Bill was re-corn-, mitted. Clause 14 : A proviso was added, bringing the alterations made since May 80th" into force on the date such alterations were made. A new clause was added, enabling the Midland Railway Company to import plant under the existing law upon entering into a bond that such plant was to be used solely for the railways, and not sold or otherwise employed. Bitters in bottles, jars, etc., 10s per gallon, was inserted in the schedule. Brass and copper manufactures, not otherwise enumerated, were increased to 20 per ceut. Cordials in bottles, jar?, etc., lfis per gallon, was inserted. Hessians, not exceeding 4d per yard, 33 per cent, was struck out. Liquors, 1(h per gallon inserted. Papierinacheo ware was increased to 20 per cent. Silk and silk satin and plush scrim cloth, lo per cent, was struck out. Pearl ash, potash and caustic potash were placed on the free list. In answer to a question, the Premier said these alterations would not give any increase to the revenue. On tlie motion for the third reading, Mr Beetham made a final protest against the imposition of a protective tariff, which he felt sure would hamper rather than encou rage manufactures. There were many other ways in which the financial balance could be restored without imposing such a mass of extra taxation. Tho proper settlement of the Waste Lands and improved management of railways were among them.. Mr Ballance denied that Protection would have an evil effect on industries, as competition would cheapen local manufactures. He took credit to himself for placing more people on the land than had been done for many years previously. He hoped that Free traders would take their defeat amicably. He admitted that the agricultural industry had scarcely received fair consideration, and suggested that a committee be appointed to enquire into and report from time to time what changes were needed. Mr Macarthur complained of the language used by the Premier towards the Freetraders. He quoted a statement by Mr Bruce to the effect that the Premier had promised him during the last election not to introduce any protective duties. The Premier said it was untrae Mr Bruce remarked that to the best of his recollection the statement was true. Mr Macarthur continued commenting generally on the Tariff, and asking how anyone could support it. Hon. Mr Ferg.is claimed that the Premier was perfectly consistent in his policy. The position of the Government had been one of extreme difficulty, and if members were dissatisfied, all they had to do was to give them short shrift. The duties were requirod principally for revenue purposes, and there was very little comparatively put on to those who were least able to pay it.

Mr Bruct! defended the Free traders who he asserted would yet prevail. Ho lepeated Mr Mac Art liar's statement was correct, so far as his memory served him, and for Sir H. Atkinson to give him the lie as he had, was degrading to his position as Premier, j He had no desire under present circumstances, to see the Ministry turned out as that would be going from bad to worse. Mr Russell feared the ultimate result of the tariff would not be increasing the revenue at all. It was his firm belief if people realised the enormous amount of taxation put upon them they would return sufficient Freetraders to utterly reverse the present policy. The Tariff would defeat its own object as increase of local industries would diminish the revenue. The colony had already manufactures to a. very great extent, even more so than Victoria, an?! he did not see where they were to ge an outlet, The prevailing impression of nil classes at Home was that our chief products were theoretical politics and Deficiency Bills. This Tariff would give a still worse impression, aud by reducing imports would ruin our shipping trade. Mr Allen spoke briefly from a Freetrado point of view, strongly protesting against the Bill and the position taken up by the Government. (Left sitting.}