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Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5439, 21 July 1879, Page 2

A DITTY ON COALS. -Mit RrouAKn Rkevks, M.H.R., for Grey Valhy, bus given notico of what tho Post truly calls a " most extraordinary motion." Ho is to move, "That in the opinion of this House, it is desirable to impose a duty of 5s por ton on all coal imported into this colony." This is Protection with a vengeance. For the benefit of half-a-dozen colliery proprietors Mr Reeves would havo us pay 5s per ton moi-o for our coals — for that is tho effect his motion would have. ]To would doubtloss say that it would only incroaso the price of tho imported article, but all experience proves that the colonially-pro-diiced articio would rise in price in an oqnal ratio. Tho prico of Now Zealand coal is practically governed by that of Newcastle, Und if the lattor rises our local colliery proprietors would not bo slow to raiso thoir prices and to pocket the extra profit. If our coal is as good as that of Nowcastlo (and wo believe much of tho Greymouth coal to be so) it must iiUimatoly displace tho imported articio because i(, can be sold so much cheaper. If wo have not ccal equal to that of Newcastle then wo must continue (o import, no matter what tho duty may be, or put up with an inferior articio at an enhanced cost. Not only would every householder be poorer, but our foundries would be practically closed if coal wore advanced 5s per ton. Wo havo ironworks iv the colony usingnearly 100 tons of coal per week, and the imposition of a coal duty would represent about £1250 a year in one alone of these foundries. . Wo would suggest an alteration of Mr Reeve's motion, to make it read "That in the opinion of this House it is desirable that all ironworks throughout the colony be closed, and that tlio wheels of industry bo clogged,

and that this lip brought about by the linjiositidn of a duty of 5s per ton oii all coals imported into tho colony." There is ono consolation— Mr Reeves' motion will not pass.