MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD AND POHANGINA GAZETTE. GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1900. A QUESTION OF PROFIT.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XVIII, Issue 6780, 24 August 1900, Page 2

MANAWATU EVENING STANDARD AND POHANGINA GAZETTE. GUARANTEED LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE DISTRICT. FRIDAY, AUGUST 24, 1900. A QUESTION OF PROFIT.

There is scarcely any subject with which our legislators have to deal that is so intricate and vexed as the Customs tariff. Whether it be the business of Ministers to propose an increase or remission of duties, their policy is certain to raise such a storm of comment that the very anticipation of it must cause them to hesitate, and think twice before they finally decide to propose any alteration in this convenient form of indirect taxation. The tariff proposals made by the Colonial Treasurer in his last Financial Statement have proved no exception to this rule, in fact, if anything, they have been more prolific than ever in.the crop of opposition which they have promoted. On the occasion of the last revision of the Customs Tariff the howl of indignation came from the taxpayers, for then, under the pretence of reductions, the Treasurer succeeded in imposing additional burdens of taxation of considerable magnitude, which gave the people just grounds for complaint, not only because they were being compelled to pay more, but because they were wrongly led to suppose that they were to be afforded relief. At that time the large importers made no remonstrance, because they knew perfectly well that the goods which they had in stock, and on which only nominal duties had been paid, could at once have the amount of the additional duty added to their value, the whole of which was clear profit to themselves.,, Now the boot is on tho other foot, and when the Colonial Treasurer proposes to remit tho duties on goods which are in stock they bitterly complain because their stocks are reduced in value to the extent of the remissions, and they demand that tho new tariff shall be suspended, at least until such time as they have had an opportunity of clearing the goods in hand at their old prices. There would, of course, be an unanswerable case in favour of this course being followed could it be shown that the importers had given the public the benefit of the previous alteration of the tariff by refraining from adding the new duties to the yalue of their stocks, but since they did not do this, it niay with justice be contended that it is the consumer's turn now, and that the merchant should'not be allowed to mako a profit both when the customs duties arc increased and when they are remitted. Under these circumstances it is surely the duty of the House to insist upon the promised remissions on the necessaries of life being given effect .to at once, co that the people might get the benefit of that relief from the burden of taxation for wMo'h they have hoped so long, aa& Waited- patiently. V ■■■■;■ ..,' >';