THE NEW TARIFF

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10082, 18 March 1896, Page 3

THE NEW TARIFF

Is all that can be desired—from ft Government point of view. It ii also all wrong and ill-advised— an Opposition point of view; and it will be generally conceded that the man lifts not yet l)een born that can construct a tariff which will not provoke i idicule from the common or garden observer. However, something had to be done, and it was only to be expected, after the provincial tour of the Commissioners, that it would be something funny. But it was rally touching to follow the said Commissioners on their round, and watch the miblime self-sacrifices offered by the sue:<*.ssive HUggeßtors." One man would come Along and say that he was "running a i.ictory" (we will say) for the tinning of garfish, and while not wishing anything out ol the way, would suggest a duty of 3jo per cut. ad val. on tinned fish of all kinds. It is only natural that this should be followed by another patriot who had a large lock of second-hand coffin-plates, and in the pure love of his country, and for the sake of tho revenue, he would think it desirable that a tax of, say, seven shillings an ouuee should lie put on all this class of imports. Anything apparently for their country's good, while one of tho main sources of revenue last year was derived from the duty paid on the large "and ever-increasing shipments of Vanity Fair Cigarettes, which have steadily made their way into public favour.'