CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8101, 3 October 1904, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

WEST COAST I'AODUCE EXCHANGE.

(To the Editor.) Sir. — In answer to "A. Meed to Merit," my letter was composed of facts in reference to the above exchange, leaving your numerous readers to judge for themselves as to whom the crodit was due. If it was the honest intention of "A Meed to Merit" to give Mr J. Holmes solely the credit, what reason does he give for referring to Mr Major, seeing he now acknowledges no credit is due to that gentleman ? It needed no elasticity in the mind of the writer or any other person to come to but one conclusion. Mr Major by virtue of his office had the opportunity three years ago. but failed to perform even the essentially Mayoral function of convening a meeting when the time was opportune. No one disputes that Mr Holmes was the originator and resiiscitator, but we do say that the credit for going » step further towards the consummation o( the exchange is due to Mr Robbins, and not to Mr Major, as tha first letter would suggest to those who did not know.. In all nrob ability, but for the promptness of M? Robbins in calling a special meeting of Borough Councillors to get their sanction to offer the use of the Borough Chambers and arranging for the calling together of i.ie nremlx-rs of the Chamber of Commerce, the letter and article would have ended as they did three years ago. — I am. etc., E. DIXON.

FISCAL REFORM.

(To the Editor.) Sir, — Under the above heading you give us various news re Mr Chamberlain's protection policy. Now, this heading is misleading, for it is not a reform, but a retrograde movement. In France, Italy, Germany, and other countries they have protection, and in these countries the workman has to toil 12 hours per day for a much less wage than the British workman gets for eight hours,, Mr Chamberlain, by sufrenie wishes to make the hours of toil longer for the British workman and his wages less, and in addition to add one penny per loaf more for his bread, all this to benefit a wealthy clasfr at Home and a small and privileged class in the colonies. And this scheme he wishes to bring about under the name of loyalty to the Motherland and to the colonies. Now, I think it is time we in the colonies protested against such mockery. It may be stated that the United States are a prosperous nation, and they have protection.; It lU'iyt be btirne itf mind that in America they have a large and rich country, with a variety of climate, and rich in minerals, to that they can produce and manufacture almost everything they require, and be independent of the outside world. But what has protection done for the United States? Notably this: It has been very prolific in w»e production of millionaires and paupers. In one of the numbers of the Stab last week a cablegram states that the Melbourne Chamber of Manufactures have sent an invitation to Mr Chamberlain to visit the colonies. Why have they done Uua, wb.en ho is not wanted in th« colonies! The Chamber of Manufactures are not the true representatives of the colony. It is the farmers and laborers who truly represent the colonies, for it is they who are the chief producers and who have to pay all the debts. If the manufacturers cannot produce without protection as cheaply as the foreigner then they had better close their shops and apply their energies to something better, ana we will get our wants supplied from imported goods. A hundred reasons might be given to show the fallacy of Mr Chamberlain's scheme. Thanking you in anticipation,— l am. etc., R. BURGON.

Wesley Grove, Okaiawa.

Good for Athletes.— Red Bird Cycle Depp*, Bendigo, Vie, Aug. 12, 1901. I have pleasure in stating what benefit I derived from using Chamberlain's Pain Balm. I have used it freely in training for various bicycle events, and have every confidence in recommending it to all athletes as performing all that is claimed for it. —H. C. Forbea. Tot sale by W. K. Wallace, chemist.— Advt, , ; . .