The Hastings Standard Published Every Evening. MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1901 THE FEDERAL TARIFF.

Hastings Standard, Volume VI, Issue 1650, 14 October 1901, Page 2

The Hastings Standard Published Every Evening. MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1901 THE FEDERAL TARIFF.

As was generally anticipated, Mr Barton's tariff is distinctly a protective one, but though the majority of New Zealand producers were convinced on the point, the pronouncement has caused 116 little dismay in their Hitherto New South Wales has been practically a free port, and a large amount of New Zealand produce has been imported into the country, but an impression appears to prevail that the market is now irrevocably losfy Mr Barton's policy is, of course* not inspired by a feeling o£ hostility to New Zealand for her refusal to join the Commonwealth, though this idea seems to find favor with a large number of people who felt that that the colony was assuming a suicidal attitude by not throwing in her lot with the others. The imposition of heavy, duties is not a matter for great/surprise, nor is it altogether a matter for regret, although certain authorities consider that the tariff will virtually spell ruin to a number of small farmers who have depended upon the Sydney trade as a. means of livelihood But in times of plenty New South Wales has not wanted any of oul: pro* dtice, for we could not hope With freight added to compete with the local-grown artic.e; and in had seasons the additional price consequent upon the imposition of the duty will surely have to be paid by the consumer, for the trade with New Zealand has ever been a question of mutual advantage, not actuated by, a feeling of affection as between the two colonies. Therefore it is impossible to un» derstand in what way the tariff imposed by Mr Barton will be so disastrous, and it is certain that however disadvantageous may be the _ consequences they cannot be anything like so great as they would be had New Zealand sacrificed her independence and sunk her identity in an obiously experimental venture. Should the feel ing of the Commonwealth legislators be in unison with newspaper opinion, we may expect that Mr Barton's proposals will be materially modified, for the generally expressed conviction of Australian journals is that the tariff will please nobody, and the impression in New South Wales seems to be that Australia is called upon to pay a heavy price in order to protect Victoria's exotic industries.: Whatever may be the outcome, the New Zealand producer has no reason to feel embittered at the refusal of this colony to join the Commonwealth* for the Australian trade has gradually become less and less as the farmers of New South Wales went in more largely for growing, and even become exporters when the seasons were New Zealanders may go on producing extensively, and opening up new industries without fear of being refused a satisfactory market.. We may confidently expect to gain a ishare of the South African trade when peace again allows the merchant a fair oppor. tunity of resuming commercial operations and of exploiting a vast field which has hitherto been unresourcefu'l' and unapproachable. In a multitude of counsellors there is wisdom and we have little doubt that the new born, yet influential. Farmers'- Union will, from its deliberations, evolve some method by which the "impending ruin'- may not only be averted, but may really prove a blessing in disguise, by stimulating the importers to look further afield and to discover new, and possibly more satisfactory, markets for their produce.- For the rest, we preferred to look before we leaped, and though we have probably lost a few pocketfuls of trade, who can really appreciate what may be the eventual gain 'from our adherence to the admonitions of a distinctly wise proverb,;