TARIFF REVISION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9488, 18 April 1894, Page 3

TARIFF REVISION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, Mr. Resran, president of the recent conference of Trades and Labour Councils, succeeded in obtaining from that gathering of the representatives of urban labour an expression of opinion favouring the desirability of pressing upon the Government a demand for the revision of the already heavy Customs tariff of the colony. In securing the co-operation of the delegates, Mr. Andrew Bell, an ardent protectionist, although not a member of the conference, was permitted to plead in favour of the imposition of heavier import dues. The resolution as passed, was, however, exceedingly vague. This vagueness is considerably increased by the tact, as stated by the president, that free trade and protectionist opinionsalike prevailed amongst the. membership of the different councils. The necessities of the farming interests, the preponderant and ever-increasing power in the electorate, render it necessary that the issue should be as plainly stated as possible. It is, therefore, in the public interest that we «sk Messrs Regan and Bell to define the exact nature of the tariff revision sought for by them. —We are, etc., Edmund Bell, E. W. Burton.