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Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9604, 23 December 1891, Page 4

In another column we publish some details of the tariff now in force in New South Wales. It is not difficult to see that the guiding principle adopted by Mr Bibbs in the compilation of this tariff has been a desire to assist the farming industry. Whether it will effect this to the extent anticipated remains to be seen. We think it will not ; on the contrary, bearing in mind t’ue difference in climate, nature of the soil, &c„ we are inclined to ,think that the duties on many of

the lines hitherto imported to New South "Wales from this Colony will increase the price to the consumer without materially assisting the farmer. Wo do not anticipate that a duty of tenpence per cental on oats or wheat, or of ten shillings per ton on potatoes, will enable the New South Wales grower to drive out the New Zealand products. The extra fertility of our soil will still prove a handicap to the farmer in the sister Colony which he will find it difficult to meet. There is, however, a method by which the effect of these imposts on our trade may be considerably reduced. We refer to the reduction of the railway and other export charges. This is a matter we have repeatedly insisted upon, and the present is an opportune time to refer to it again. If the Railway Commissioners, the Harbour Boards and the Union Steamship Company were to take counsel, an arrangement might be made which would minimise, at any rate, the blow the tariff strikes at our export trade.