No. 89

I have had under my consideration the Ordinance (No. 3 of 1865)
passed by the Legislature of British Columbia "To amend the Duties of
Customs," together with Governor Seymour's Despatches of the Numbers and
dates in the margin.

*

I referred this Ordinance and the papers connected with it to the
Board of Trade and the Board of Treasury, and I have the honor to
transmit to you their replies.

I have to draw your attention to the remarks made by the Board of
Trade on the high rate of duty charged on some of the articles included
in the proposed Tariff.

You will perceive the remarks made by the Lords Commissioners of
the Treasury on the provision for subjecting articles identical in all
respects, and of the same price to the consumer, to different rates of
duty, according to the Country from which they may have been shipped.

Until this enactment, which is contrary to precedent, and
unadvisable in principle, shall have been amended, it would not be in my
power to recommend the Ordinance for confirmation, but I refrain from
advising it's disallowance until there shall have been time for
correcting the objectionable Clause.