THE NEW TARIFF.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 849, 8 June 1888, Page 19

THE NEW TARIFF.

CO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW ZEALAND MAIL. Sir, —Has Sir Harry Atkinson fulfilled his promise to bring down a tariff that would come nearest to giving satisfaction to the moderate parties, both of Protectionists and Freetraders 1 In answer to the above question, I say emphatically, yes. When on Wednesday last, at Napier, I first road the Financial Statement, it did not take me long to arrive at this conclusion, and I at once wired to the members for Dunedin Central and Dunedin West, that in my opinion the tariff proposals were on the whole satisfactory, at the same time expressing a hope that all moderate Protectionist members would support. Government in their

proposals without party bias. I cannot bnt deplorethe unfortunate exigencies which necessitated the Government, after having earnestly applied themselves to retrenchment, to have resort to further taxation. Yet I feel sure that the increases will in various instances create new industries, and in others give such an impetus to existing industries as to go far to counterbalance the fresh burdens of taxation. Sir Harry has manfully fulfilled hi 3 promises ; fairly and honestly has he attempted to reconcile conflicting interests: heroically bent to do his duty to the country, he has risen above party consideration and private friendship. Truly, his task has been a difficult and painful one. At a most ' critical time he lias grasped the position of the country, he has quietly gone amongst the people and felt their pulse, and unpleasant as some of his proposed remedies may be, they will assuredly lead to the recovery of our true position. Much as I value the encouragement which his tariff proposals will give to our natural resources, still more do I value his determination for the colony henceforth to pay its way out of revenue. I regret a tendency on the part of the press to unfavorably consider .the resolve of the Ministry “ not to fund the deficiency.” Unpleasant as it will bo to swallow the primage pill, I feel sure the effect to pay our way will be to inspire confidence at Home and abroad. The tariff proposals must have cost Sir Harry and his colleagues a great deal of anxious consideration, and while in a few instances amendments and improvements will probably be suggested, which it would be welltoconsider, they have, on the whole, been designed with an anxious care to study the agricultural, the pastoral, the mining, and the dairy industries of the country, the articles which they require being almost entirely free. As these industries form the back-bone of the country, I sincerely trust the subsidies to local bodies will be continued, as otherwise serious inconvenience will be caused to country districts. City members are apt to forget that it is the country which feeds the towns. I beg to apologise for the length of my . letter. As an old colonist I have always taken a heartfelt interest in the welfare of our country. I take a pride in our progress, and irrespective of a pounds-shillings-and-pence view. I feel humiliated that at the present time wo are obliged to take a back seat. Yet I know and am interested in Victoria and New South Wales, and it is no figure of speech when I say New Zealand ought to be in the foremost rank. I feel sure the generality of our members, be they Freetraders or be they Protectionists, have the welfare of ths country at heart; and I trust it may not be considered presumptuous on my part if I suggest that at this critical moment all might fairly combine. Indeed, it seems to me that Sir Harry’s proposals have bsen so framed that all can join and put their shoulders to the wheel, in which case I am confident we should not be long before we assumed our proper position.—-I am, &c., B. Hallenstein. Occidental Hotel, Wellington, June 3.