THE MAN OF COURAGE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8362, 24 February 1913, Page 6

THE MAN OF COURAGE

Why all these secret conferences between certain sections of the manufacturing interest and the Minister of Customs? What is in the wind? First, there was a confidential interview with the boot and shoe manufacturers, then another with the candle makers, and more recently a third with the Industrial Association. The man and woman on whom the extreme cost of living is pressing heavily are beginning to grow uneasy and suspicious. There was a time in his democratic days when the Hon. F. M. B. Fisher would have taken the common people into his confidence, and told them what it was all about, but since he has been admitted into the exclusive circles of the squatters and the wealthy manufacturers his nose is tilted to a higher degree and his political gaze is fixed above tho heads of the common people. But if tho Hon. F. M. B. is intent upon secrecy, and will not take the electors into his confidence, other people concerned are not so reticent. For example, Mi D. Robertson, at a meeting of the Wellington Provincial Association the otner night, lot the cat of tho bag to some extent when ho said; “Wo should have a tariff to help us if we have to submit to these laws- Fisher. I think, has more courage than Millar. Ho was frightened to touch tho tariff, I think. Fisher has courage enough to alter tho tariff in our favour, and I think tho sooner we take the matter up and ask him what he is going to do to assist us. the better it will bo.” So this is the key to the mystery, is it? Fisher has courage, and is going to alter the tariff in favour of the manufacturers, is he? He is going to put higher duties on tho children’s boots and shoes, and add a hit more to the cost of the family's candles, is he? Of course, tne squatters who are Mr Fisher’s friends now don’t use candles. They enjoy and can afford electric light. This is a luxury, we regret to say, that is still denied to some of Mr Fisher’s constituents in Wellington Central. We are not prepared to dispute Mr Robertson’s statement, that Fisher has courage, but, all the same, Fisher will require every ounce of his courage before he succeeds in putting higher duties on boots and shoes, oi candles, or any of the other necessaries of life, thus increasing tho cost of living. There are men voting on the "side of “Reform” who have not come under the influence of the squatters and manufacturers, who will not tolerate higher Customs taxes on articles of household use. As for the Hon. J. A. Millar, w© question whether he was frightened in this matter. We are quite prepared to believe that principle and conviction deterred him from yielding to the pressure of the manufacturers, seeing that the cost of living is already far too high. But it is straining terms to say that ho was frightened.