“Protective” Discussion.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 314, 26 April 1888, Page 2

“ Protective” Discussion.

Per Press Association. Dunedin, April 25. A largely-attended public meeting was hold this evening to consider tho best methods to he adopted to retain and employ our population. The Mayor was in the chair. The principal speakers to motions wore Mr Fish, Dr Fitchett, and Mr Downie Stewart, M.ll.R.’s. Messis Seobie M'Kenzie, Allen and Barron, M.H.R.’s, spoke against tho motion. The latter three had a difficulty in obtain- ' ing a hearing, but Mr M‘Keuzie at last succeeded, though Messrs Allen and Barron were only partially successful. The resolutions, which were declared to he unanimously carried, were : —(1) That strenuous efforts should bo at onco mado to retain our population ; (2) that one of the best methods of retaining and finding employment for our population is tho institution of a protective tariff on such articles as can ho produced in the colony ; (3) that an income tax and graduated land tax should he substituted for the present property tax ; (4) that the resolutions be forwarded to the Premier. Mr Soobio M‘Kenzio moved an amendment, which tho Mayor declined to put on tho ground of its not being an amendmint, “ That in the opinion of this meeting it is essential that at a time of depression liko the present, no burdens should be laid upon tho people of Now Zealand other than such as are absolutely necessary to supply the means of administering tho colony’s affairs and meeting of its obligations ; that in order to restore confidence public borrowing should cease for a time, and that the Colony should be mado to live within its own resources, and that every effort bo directed to tho reduction of taxation.”