THE NEW DUTIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14226, 24 November 1909, Page 6

THE NEW DUTIES.

The alteration of the increased Customs duties from a 1 per cent, impost upon the total dutiable value of goods to a 2i per cent, surtax upon the Customs duty now payable is a distinct improvement. It is a simple and :. practicable ; method . of, increasing . the amount exacted at the Customhouse, and, however much we may object to the exaction, the method of raising it can hardly be criticised. It is, indeed, so simple and so practicable that there is a danger that it may become a favourite resort of Governments which have failed to economise until too late or to • encourage , settlement until the country is paying for their neglect. Our Customs duties were already sufficiently high to afford all reasonable protection to . local, industries and to form a more than. sufficient burden upon the public. They have had to be raised because the Government has failed to encourage settlement, to foster immigration, and to develop energetically the great natural wealth, of this Dominion. We advise our readers to remember this when they are paying increased prices , for imported

.articles, and to bear in mind that there would have been no necessity whatever for the surtax if the Main Trunk line ran through thriving farm lands and by prosperous towns, where now it winds its ways through thousands of square miles of lockedup Native' Lands.