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TH&TAEIFF COMMIS
SION*.
CONSIDERING THE PERSONNEL.
EIGHT^IIEMBEES OR TWELVES
MELBOURNE, December 2.
The Prime Minister was able to-day to
submit tBe proposed list of members to
constitute the Tariff Commission to Mr.
Watson (Leader of the Opposition). This
was cuscusseu at length. come of tlie
names were altered, and subsequently it.
was arranged .that the two leaders should
reconsider the list tentatively ? approved of
on Tuesday. Assuming that there will be 12
members on the commiEsion, the list agreed
apon. reads: — '/? .' ??' A ' '
—Victoria.— ?'
Ep. Sir John Quick, Chairman (Protec
tion).
Mr. G. W. Walmsley (Freetrade).
Hr. T. Smith, ex-M.KA. (Protection).
-New South Wales.—
Ep. J. Cook (Freetrade).
.Mr. Jacob Garrard (Freetrade).
Mr, Frank Clarke (Protection).
—Queensland.—
Ep. Groom (Protection.) - .
A Brisbane commercial man. (Freetrade).
— Soutih Australia.—
Sr. McGregor (Protection).
Sr. Playford (Protection).
—Western Australia.—
Ep, Fowler (Freetrade). ?
— Tasmania.—
Sr. demons (Freetrade).
There was a disposition. on the part -rf
r-nny federal poabicians, however, to con
-Anil iVinf flin /.nmrnicQinn chmtiH pnnRrQh
of not more than eight members. It was
pointed out that this might result in New
South AVales having two Freetraders en
the commission, who would not be eon
rasant with Victorian industries, and that
Victoria might have two Protectionist re
presentatives who would not be in touch
?with Xew South Wales industries. More
over, the Protectionists- in New South
Wdes, and the Freetraders in Victoria,
would be denied representation on' this
basis. Queensland would have to be er.n
xent with only one member, as was the
case with Tasmania. Then, again, it was
urjmed that the Freetraders of New
South Wales would not be satisfied if that
State- were represented by one Freetrader
and one Protectionist, while Victorian Pro-'
tcctionists might equally object to a Free
trader being put on for this State. Not
withstanding these difficulties, how
ever, it is understood that the
commission will in all likelihood
be kept down to eight members. This
may mean Jjiat Sir. Clarke will not be
offered a seat for New South Wales, Mr.
Wakmley for Victoria, Sr. Playford for
South Austrab'a, and the commercial man
whom it is proposed to appoint on behalf
oE Queensland; but it would not be sur
prising if the New South Wales reDre
sentatives were Rp. J. Cook (Freetrader)
and Mr. Frank Clarke (Protectionst), and
he Victorian members were Sir John
Quick. (Protectionst) and Mr. Walmsiey
(Freetrader). This matter will not be de
cided until Mr. Watson returns from Syd
ney on Tuesday. \
Meanwhile the Prime Minister will ?re-
approach, the gentlemen referred, and ask
them if they will act on the commission.
Sir John Quick has already signified hjs
willingness to become Chairman, and hia
appointment h£s met with the cordial ap
proval of members of all parties. Mr. Ja
cob Garrard passed through Melbourne to
Tasmania en Thursday. Ministers will bo
able to communicate with him. by tele
graph. He was Minister for Works .and
Minister for Education in Neiv South
Wales for some. year?. In the event of
there being only ?one South Australian on
the commission it is understood that Sr.
McGregor (Leader of the Labour Party in
the Senate) will be asked to ? represent
ithat State'.
The non-political members of the com
mission will be paid from two to three
guineas a day, with expenses, and members
who'' serve on it will be allowed all ex
penses on a liberal scale.
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