FARMERS AND PROTECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9066, 29 May 1888, Page 3

FARMERS AND PROTECTION.

" Sphinx in Egypt," Tauranga, writes on this subject as follows Will you allow me, through the medium of your well-read columns, to draw the attention of certain rabid protectionists to the fact that the Victorian Government, recognising the importance of fostering the agricultural industry, have abolished the lately-framed duties on cornsacks, woolpacks, wire netting, wire for fencing, and twine for binding ? Should the workingman really be desirous of taxing himself rather than impose a rate on property, let the tariff be increased on articles of general consumption, not on those things that must be used in connection with farming, the most important of all industries in a new country. I see that Canada is anxious that the Australasian colonies should join her for the promotion of reciprocity of trade presume with the old country. Now, what would be the effect of Imperial protection for the British Empire against foreign nations, supposing the following tariff was in force :—Wheat, 8s a quarter ; wool, 3d a lb ; frozen meat, Id a lb ; butter, 3d a lb ; cheese, 2d a lb ? Why, instead of farming at a loss, it might be carried on at a profit. Consequently, land would rise in value, and New Zealand finance would be placed on a Arst-class footing. With a chance of receiving" an income from property, the property tax would not be so obnoxious as it now is, when many have to pay away by this one tax an amount varying from onetwelfth to one-fifth of their income. I know many cases in which this tax is equal to an income tax of 4s in the £. To wind up, if farmers, settlers, and others who came here to live on the income accruing from a moderate capital are, in addition to the property tax. to pay a heavy duty on the clothes they wear, the candles they burn, the soap they wash with, the implements they carry on their culture with, and, in addition, a 6d duty on the tea they drink, whilst, at the same time, their capital in many instances gives but little return, then, I say, the sooner these unfortunates clear out the better for themselves. Whereas, should the colonies succeed in prevailing on the home authorities to impose a small protection tariff on foreign importations, reciprocating ourselves so far as we are able, then, by reason of the soil regaining an intrinsic value, all would go merry as a marriage bell.