PROTECTIONISM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7903, 23 March 1887, Page 3

PROTECTIONISM.

TO THE EDITOR. Sin,— Ballance. in Auckland, in replying to a deputation, avouched—" lam a protectionist, and always was." Permit me to point oat that the averment was totally irrelevant; for not a word uttered by the soliciting deputation, nor occurring in reply proper, had any the least bearing on technical tariff protectionism." Perhaps this statement would surprise him, yet it is truth of fact. Deputation asked Government to turn money-lender ; answer was, case being urgont perhaps they would. Wow, I think all this is very likoly right, and very good ; but it is as different from tariff protectionism, as technically known, as tho moon is different from a Cheshire cheese. Same of emergent, temporary subsidies to steamships : this, too, ' probably all right. Plainly many of the prominent, able men have not really studied this subject, and have jauntily accepted a sophistical theory. With Mr. Ballancf;'s permission, I would assert he is not a real believer in monopoly tariff protectionism. He cannot be ;no honest thinker ever was, He is only a believer in— something else. If the protectionists will only protect 7.11 the trades all round, from the agriculturist all the way to the tinker, and bo exclude the ships from our harbours, we shall! 'then see them in full size and Argumentum ad ab3urdam. —l am, eta,

W. E. S.