DIFFERENTIAL DUTIES.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 184, 4 August 1900, Page 4

DIFFERENTIAL DUTIES.

FAVOURED, BY THE PREMIER

(By Telegraph—Parliamentary Reporter.,

WELLINGTON, this day.

Mr Monk asked the Premier yesterdiiy afternoon whether the Government intend to submit proposals to differentiate \the application of onr Customs duties in favour' of commodities produced from within the confines of the British Empire.

The Premier said every day strengthened his conviction iriThe direction indicated by the question. The present, system was the height of stupidity—that British Statesmen should go oh spending the money and blood of. the Empire, and then leave other nations to reap the same benefit as the British themselves Other .. nations did not display S"uch liberality. At present no British vessel could do any trade in Hawaii, though the British had a great deal to do in establishing trade there. In his opinion the blame rested on British merchants. The Empire had been increased of late years by millions of miles, and the population had been greatly augmented, but the British merchants and manufacturers had not increased their ability to supply goods in anything like an equal ratio. There was an increase of trade fo^owing tlie flag.-but Ihe British mnrmfacturers had not increased tljeir output in the s:inie proportion. .When the colony wanted railway iron and mil?, they could not be got from England within 12 or 18 rno^hs. whilst they could be obtained in the United States at three months' notice. The colonies would prefer to take goods from the Mother-Country, but they must be delivered 'in reasonable time, and be suitable to our requirements. The question, however, opened up a' large question. He thought the colony ought to do somethinevin the direction indicated by the hon. member, but he was not prepared to do anything- this session, though he was willing to make an experiment, which he fel/t satisfied would prove satisfactory.