INJUSTICE TO COLONIAL ENTERPRISE.
TO THE EDITOR OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES, Sir, —-Permit me the honor of indicating an anomaly and an inconsistency connected with a branch of colonial production, which “ goes its own length ” in exposing the difficulties realised by the capitalist in fostering the growth of manufacture in the colonies, and obstacles to be surmounted by the colonial producer before he may expect to “stand upon an equal platform ” with his Home rival For instance, the London “ Market price ” for a certain class' of paper is 225. 4d. per cwt. The Sydney “market price” for-the same article is 255. Bd. (this quotation covers a “ specific duty ” of 3s. 4d. per cwt.) Paper-makers in the old country invoice the same to the colonies at 18s. per cwt., whereas the colonial manufacturer invoices at 20s. per cwt., being 2s. in excess of his rival. When an English consignment passes through the New Zealand Customs, it pays duty on the minimum, i.e., 18s.; but when a New South Wales consignment is submitted for the same ordeal, it must pay duty on the maximum, i.e., 255. Bd. (which includes the Sydney duty of 3s. 4d.) ’By this peculiar and special “ customs process ” the British manufacturer gets the “whip hand” over his less favored competitor, and thus the colonial maker is effectually “ shut out of his market.” Now, if English paper makers pass their goods at “ manufacturing rates,” how is it that the colonial makers must pass their goods at “ market rates?" In all fairness to the colonial, he ought to enjoy the same amenities as his rival, otherwise he will be forced nolens nolens by the nature of the glaring discrepancy to secure another market for this branch of manufacture, which may (by the law of supply and demand) entail greater loss to the buyer than to the manufacturer of an article commanding (as it does) so “ready sales.” —I am, &c., Geo. Murray.
Paper works, Liverpool, New South Wales, Nov., 1876.
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4891, 24 November 1876, Page 2
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331INJUSTICE TO COLONIAL ENTERPRISE. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 4891, 24 November 1876, Page 2
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