CORRESPONDENCE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LVI, Issue LVI, 26 October 1908, Page 8

CORRESPONDENCE.

THE TARIFF QUESTION

(To the Editor.)

Sir, — I have lately read from the Hawera Public Library the interesting and remarkable book by the American Winston Churchill, "Mr Crewe'e Career," in which we have a vivid insight into the methods by which a great railroad corporation can gain complete dominance over the politics of an American State. The "political dirty work that is done by the railroads is done not less by the manufacturing trusts that are enabled by Protection to gain a monopoly of production. These trusts, said Mr Franklin Pearce, the American delegate at the Freetrade Congress, London, are more powerful than President or Congress. They govern the political machine, and govern it in their own interest and not in the public interest. They have fastened upon the politics of the United States and cannot be shaken off, Mr Martin, another delegate, assured his hearers. They have unfortunately fastened also upon the politics of Canada. In every protected country the force to be conquered is not public opinion — which could be, and indeed is being led into the right path — but the might of vested interests that strive to ensure that the affairs of the State shall be conducted with a view to the profit of individuals. We are invited by some of the candidates at this elecjtion to Parliament in New Zealand to support this protection, which is so prolific a source of corruption and tyranny. We are invited to do so in the name of the people's welfare. How is it that in all protected countries wages are low, hours of labor many, and the necessities of life are very scarce and very dear? Let us in New Zealand show our wisdom like the people of Great Britain by refusing to support a policy of injustice and tyranny. — I am, etc., R., BURGON.