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Evening Post, Volume LXVII, Issue 150, 25 June 1904, Page 14

THE DUTY ON TEA.

TO TUB EDITOR. Siv> — I believe lam correct in saying that during lust session of Parliament ii Bill was brought in by the Government, and passed, regulating the importation of ten. All ten over one pound in weight wns to come tlnough the Customs fice. Packots of one pound and under were to pay a duty of 2d por pound. The- irie.i of the legislature was to have (he packing of tea done in the colony, and thus givo employment lo our own people. The wily importer, however, dikes tne proverbial "coach and four" through the Act of Parliament. Rather than see hands in the colony, even though they bo boys and girls, packing his tea, he gets it done by the coolies in Ceylon and fndia. -which costs next to nothing, and to get the pound packages thiouirl" l ho Customs he arranges that- tin- packets be put up in l6Jtv. and 17oz, just over the pound weight. Tilk about the trick.* of the hi'all'cn Chiiuw after this! There js a j.'to;;! cry ;>bocl L'himso chcip labour on the l\-ii!f), but wo have men of r.fllucucv in this n>iony. v. ho, to put .in cxti.i copper mi then m\n pockets, take i f from ouv I'hihhcn Can we v under (it the spiead of Rocialibin when vo veo such x rCei -li

f-uch baiefared defiance of the law made to give our children buvid? J write in tho hope that the Government will stop this syhtcni of tiading. — 1 ;nn, etc., OLD HONESTY. Wellington, 21«t June. [The Department is fully aware of what im going on, and the Premier has aheady referred to the matter jr one of llih .speeches, but i.s po\\eik"-s to pi event it, nor is an amendment of the Act contemplated.—Ed. E.P.]