THE NEW CUSTOMS TARIFF.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4131, 20 August 1900, Page 4

THE NEW CUSTOMS TARIFF.

There is little doubt that the people throughout the colony will regard the Budget: of 1900 as the most important and statesmanlike which it has been the privilege of the Premier in his canacitv as Colonial Treasurer to deliver. Perhaps no portion of it will be more gratifying to tho electors than that dealing with the remission .of Customs duties. There t ill doubtless bo numbers who, from being immediate sufferers, will':regard the reductions and remissions as . in some respects objectionable, yet generally traders and consumers' alike will view the new tariff with approbation. It is quite true that in all the chief centres . importers who have, for instance, largo slocks of kerosene on hand, will b’e .losers to' the' extent of hundreds of pounds, and the cry will probably be raised in some quarters that due .intimation- of the reductions should have:been given, as was done in tlio colony of New South Wales by tho Reid Administration prior to the abolition, of' iiiost Customs duties in that colony. -Tlie losses-of merchants will bo in numbers of oases heavy; but that is not sufficient reason for deferring' tlip carrying into effect of reductions in the tariff which will be beneficial tq every consumer. That there will bo consider--able disorganisation in the trade of the colony'will'be admitted. On Iho other hand, had. tho Colonial Treasurer intimated that the reductions'in tho tariff would take effect from the Ist of Janu- - ary next, tho dislocation of trade would ■ for obvious reasons have been still _ greater. . , . While it must be acknowledged that a reduction, in the tariff was desirable 'remissions and reductions will seriously affect several induH. tries th?t- were struggling under the icgis of the tariff, into satisfactory positions for .their'-promoters.- : The existence of the match and candle-making industries: will be seriously menaced. Oho manufacturer of wax vestas has declared that the reduction of the duty will lead to the extinction, of his industry, and tho position :is so grave Ttor the candle manufacturers that the cessation of .candle-milking, is, if the proposals are affirmed, by‘ practically assured? Then at i,?, understood that the coffee-making and salt-grinding industries will likewise be seriously affected by the abolition of the duty on the products of those manufactories. Although the Government-, might have saved the desirable - -industries* of ■ tho colony from ; extinction by the -alterations in the tariff, yet it must be conceded that the benefits to -consumers- as - a whole more than out-weigh that consideration; and 'if merchants and importers suffer to (lie extent of £30,000 . or, £40,000 thvongn I holding stocks of . dutiable goods now Ideclared to no free, there are compensating, balanced -and advantages that ; [must be gratifying: to every section of the community. The tax upon the poor 1 man’s lighting is abolished, and in this I connection alone £60,000 a, year will he Uavcd 1 o the users of kerosene. Tho rcjduction -in - tea . represents a saving to . tho people of nearly £40,000 per amimu, I while rice and currants and raisins will ho’cheapened, to the extent of C 35.000 'a-year to the consumers. Then the ro- ] missions on salt,'proprietary medicine;, ! coffee’ and -cocoa -wall represent a saving 'of, approximately, £20,000 per annum to the users of these commodities. By jail these reduciions tiro spending power off the-working man’s wages have been ’ raised. . ■ - • ‘

lii It’s fiscal reforms the Government has not, however, been unmindful of the producer, the capitalist. and the investor. The farmer ought to be pleased that tho duty on agricultural machinery is abolished. In the interests of the capitalist the mortgage tax has been reduced, ind, the imevdor in mining must regard with satisfaction, the abolition of the 5 per edit, duty on such machinery as is used in that industry. Even if the merchant is mulcted in loSSes to-day ho has the assurance that at ■ the beginning of January next he will largely participate in the benefits of penny postage, by which £30,000 will be lost to the revenue. From a political point of view, the new tariff must lie considered! as politic and statesmanlike. for its effects must bn in tho main highly beneficial to all classes of the enrihnunity.' Whether the opponents of the Government, are satisfied of.not with the reform of the Customs duties as ‘announced remains: to.be -seen ; hut that the Ministry has displayed a courage, a statesmanship and- a virility m this and its ether Budget pioposals unparalleled since 1891, will not bo disputed.- ■■ > .-■.■* ■"' ■ ■■*:■■■ '■ .- '