TRADE WITH RUSSIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 239, 8 October 1932, Page 13

TRADE WITH RUSSIA.

There is one illuminating reference in a correspondent's letter, i.e., "that we are told" that to get something from another nation cheaper and better than wo can produce it ourselves, is bad business. Well, this is what protectionist countries assumi!. This is what professors of economics, captayis of industry, chairmen of chambers of commerce, "patriotic" citizens, etc., are constantly dinning into our »ars. We must "protect" the poor working man. And how better can' we protect him than by refusing to buy from "sweated" markets, and thus, by means of high tariffs, create work for our own people? Look at the risk we run of Russia flooding our markets. Why should we allow anything in from Russia or any other foreign nation? "Tile poor working man!" We must protect him. What a tremendous amount of funds he has. Who are continually pointing out that tariffs were created solely for his benefit? (Of course, the wealthy manufacturing classes gain nothing from protection.) Russia is now after our markets. Here is another threatened injustice to the workers. I wonder why we allow anything in at all from foreign nations —even ideas. It would be quite logical to refuse to alfow foreign singers, artists, and actors to land in our country. Why not have protection all round? If we are to "protect" the poor working man, let us do it thoroughly. HERBERT MULVIHILL.