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Tuesday, 19 December 1911

Mr RILEY (South Sydney) .- I hope that the Committee will not agree to this. The manufacturers of these handkerchiefs have told us that they have enjoyed a high protective duty. I fail to understand why the Minister should have reduced the Protection to the extent that he did. These manufacturers placed their case before the Senate, which recognised the justice of their claim, and made a request that the rates be raised to those prevailing under the old Tariff. Those concerned state that if the duty be reduced they will be severely handicapped. They proceeded to erect a factory and to import machinery some time ago, in the belief that the old Tariff would be maintained.

Mr Tudor - I think I am offering a fair compromise on the Senate's request.

Mr RILEY - But the Minister is proposing a reduction compared with the rates that prevailed under the old Tariff.

Mr Tudor - I am not; and I do not think any one of the manufacturers will say that I am.

Mr RILEY - That is news to me. My desire is that the item shall be restored to its old position.

Mr Tudor - Even the Senate has not requested that the duty be restored to its old level.

Mr RILEY - The honorable member is proposing a reduction of 5 per cent. on the request made by the Senate.

Mr Tudor - The Senate proposes duties of 35 per cent. and 30 per cent., and I suggest duties of 30 per cent. and 25 per cent.

Mr RILEY - In the first place, the duties prevailing under the old Tariff were reduced under the schedule submitted to the Committee by the Minister.

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