AN UNIFORM AUSTRALIAN TARIFF.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 112, 26 March 1862, Page 6

AN UNIFORM AUSTRALIAN TARIFF.

Federation of the Colonies comprised in the Australasian group was for some time a favorite idea. Lately it seems to have lost its hold upon the public mind, although still warmly cherished by a few believers in its utility. In default of any more defined bund of union, there is an obvious desirability for some mutuality of understanding between the various Australian-colonies as to the Customs duties imposed by their respective systems of Government. An arrangement might be made which would work advantageously for all. Protection to native industry might take a wider and more liberal form by including in the category of home producers those colonies which would consent to make fairly adjusted concessions, in order to encourage the produce of the others, and to place the foreigner in a somewhat less advantageous position-than he now occupies. In establishing an export trade, we first look for the.nearest and most accessible markets, both irom the advantage of cheaper freight, for the product we send away, and quicker returns for the capital therein invested. ' Naturally, attention is first directed to the adjoining colonies, i Although from their contiguity and general ' similarity of soil and climate, we cannot expect to export much that they cannot themselyes produce, still, it will be found that various ' fortuitous circumstances have contributed to already found an interchange of commodities. Thus in Victoria.we have derived from South Australia lafgfi supplies of bread.stuffs. To New South Wales we are almost exclusively indebted for coal. The New Zealand forests have been laid under contribution for a large portion of the timber used in building. Both the first named colonies find an outlet here for their choicest fruits. Our early importationsof stock came from Tasmania, and, across the border, Queensland and New South Wales still

pour in, sheep and cattle innumerable, to be fattoned on our runs, and consumed in our cities. The native wines from Sydney and Adelaide have cl ready an established reputation in our markets, ilithurto we have had nothing but gold to give in 'exchange. The superior attractiveness of the pursuit of the miner for a long time diverted attention from any attempt to supply the internal demand for these ami other nrt.cia.". So lung aa gold was obtained in large quantities, it was easier to buy elsewhere than to produce for ourselves. Gradually, however, ns our gold escorts have diminished, other modes of industry have been forced upon the people, and we are now in a position not only to supply many of our internal wants, but must look abroad for an^outlet for the surplus we. do not require and caniiot possibly consume. The time is but short since we were entirely dependent on our neighbors, -or on foreign 'supply, for such simple matters as wheat, oats, potatoes, butter, cheese, provisions, and many other articles equally necessary, and quite as easy of production Colonial ale and porter were only known to be avoided. Now thee commodities we have either ceased to import, or else they are brought here in much reduced quantities, and more to suit that fastidiousness of demand which seeks variety, than from want of ability to fully satisfy the gross requirement.

Our colonial wines are gradually coming into rcputu, ami greater facilities for th'oir sale will popularise.them still further. A differential duty in favor of the wines of South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland would, in all probability, be readily reciprocated by those colonies, and the consumption of native wines would undoubtedly bo largely increased b)' such a measure. Nor would it tell unfavorahly for our own'viuegrowers. "What is wanted is. the. establishment of an extensive demand, by placing good wine'within the reach of all classes. That accomplished, our Victorian production would rapidly overtake the consumption, and bring us to the position of exporters. The disadvantage to the' Victorian wine-producer, if any, would be. but , very ..tempo-, ■l'aiy, and must result in ultimate benefit. Every convert won over from the use of thejniserablc compounds imported from Europo under tiic names of wines and spirits, will prove an element of strength to our future wine-trade,

Independent-of the question' of native pro duction, the advantage of possessing a general export power has been, abundantly proved by the trade that has sprung up within the last few months ~; between Melbourne and Otago. At first the loss of "thousands of our miners —the flower ,of our population—our largest producers and most liberal consumers—had a paralysing effect. Every ship that departed Irani our shores added to the gloom. Instead, however, of giving up in despair, commercial enterprise determined to turn the exodus to account in some way. If the miners would not remain here to consume the goods in the hands of the merchants, it was obviously the next best tKing to send the goods after them, and take their gold in exchange. Thus an export trade of important amount sprung up in a. few short months. We have secured the lion's share of the gold produce, and Gabriel's Gully and Wetherstone's are almost as practically useful to us as if siiuate within the confines of our own territory. Otago has for the time assumed towards us a somewhat analogous position to that which Victoria occupied towards South Australia and Tasmania when the gold product was at its height. Our geographical position, as directly in the line of route from England to New Zealand, and the acknowledged priority of Melbourne as the most important centre of population in the Australian group, give us great advantages to start with. Again, our superiority of soil and climate uflbrd fair ground of expectation that—having once established a trade with the gold provinces of New Zealand—there is no'■ fear of our con sinning market becoming lost- to us through this country becoming self-supplying.

Another important phu.su of the commercial relations which have been established between Melbourne and Dunedin is the profitable employment afforded steamers and sailing: vessels out ot'this port, both as conveyances of passengers and freight. The activity in this department afleots favorably the business ofship store dealers and outfitters, the wages of s«a*men, and all those trades collaterally.' connected with shipping. The average receipts of the Hobson's Bay- Railway Company have, through the New Zealand trade, risen some £300 per week over the corresponding periods last year. .

We have instanced at some length the advantages derived from the initiation of our export trade, even though the articles exported arc, in many instances, but re-shipments. Admitting this, it must be obvious that an export of those raw products or manufactures in which we excel must benefit a still larger section of the community — that, without accepting the merely secondary position of being the granary or vineyard of wealthy neighbors, we may still supplement our prosperity by sparing them out of our abundance those articles which it will suit them to take from us, and the equivalent for winch will stimulate our various producing and manufacturing, interests.— Melbourne Weekly Age, March 14.