THE PROTECTIONIST MOTION.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 271, 17 November 1887, Page 4

THE PROTECTIONIST MOTION.

Alttiougii the attempt of the Pro. tectionists to bring on the question of tariff revision this session has failed, the member for Parnell deserves credit for the persistency which lie displayed in forcing it to an issue. The method adopted, namely, to take it as a motion upon the report .of the Petitions Committee instead of as an adverse vote upon the Financial Statement, was also very adroit. We think that under the circumstances other Auckland members who have given pledges in favour of Protection ought to have joined Mr Moss and Sir George Grey in the ayes lobby. No doubt, if the Government were fully resolved not to waive their demand for time, until April next in which to produce revised tariff proposals, the debate on Thursday must have blossomed into a motion involving the fate of the Ministry, and we presume that the members who failed to support it consider the request of the Premier for time a reasonable one. This excuse may serve them for the present, but they must understand distinctly that no mere wish to preserve the personnel of the present Ministry, or to secure retrenchment will be accepted as a valid reason for supporting the Government if they fail in their promise to bring down a tariff giving substantial assistance to local industry next year. Thie question takes the very first rank. It means "hread and butter" to thousands in the colony, and although Protectionists may look askance at any proposal to use them to advance a party cod with

which they havia' no eytnpathjr, th'ef ; will not scruple themselves to use any political party in order to attain their end. If Major Atkinson should resolve to cast in his lot with the Free-traders, the Protectionists must band themselves together to set up a Government that will command the confidence of the country. A division on these lines will give the colony better defined political parties than we have had since the Public Works policy first demoralised the House.