THE CUSTOMS TARIFF.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVI, Issue 14432, 24 July 1907, Page 6

THE CUSTOMS TARIFF.

The correspondents who write to us this morning stating that.the reviff.ee! tariff will raise the prices of certain classes of boots and shoes without oncouraging their manufacture in the. colony are practical men and probably they are right in their contention. The main object of tho Government in touching tho tariff, as Mr Millar explained to a deputation in Wellington yesterday, vras to foster New Zealand industries, and it is quite possible- that in ire anxiety to achieve this end it has overlooked some of the epecial conditions of particular trades. If the revised, tariff will mise the price of felt slippers from Is to 2s a pair, and will not Induoo anyone to make them in the colony it is clearly missing its purpose. But we confess that in spite of one of our correspondents' assurance that there is no such thing as "sweating" in the> boot trade at Homo, we look with some suspicion upon slippers costing 4d a pair in London and evening slioos costing le a pair. There seems little doubt, however, that tho rearrangement of the duties will have a tendency to increase the prices of the lower classes of boots and shoes. Mr Tyreo gives examples of very substantial advances. Perhaps a closer inquiry will show that tlio revised tariff will enable the local factories to produce tneir goods at no great increase upon the present cost, but our correspondents have certainly made out a case for that inquiry, anel wo trust that it will be undertaken at oncty If it is found that the Goven>

ment's desiro to assist local industries is pressing too heavily upon the power people of the colony the tariff must be further revised. There is no excuse for making Protection tho special burden of the masses.