UNITED STATES TARIFF

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13959, 19 July 1907, Page 5

UNITED STATES TARIFF

THE QUESTION OF REVISION.

ATTITUDE OF REPUBLICAN LEADERS.

Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. WASHINGTON, July 18. (Received July 18, at 9.46 p.m.) Senator Hopkins, after interviewing President Roosevelt, lias announced .that the Republican leaders have decided against any revision of the tariff until after the Presidential elections

The following message from Now York was published in tlie Morning Leader, London, on May 29:— _ An extremely significant sign of the times is the attitude which this country is assuming towards tariff revision. The change of opinion has been so marked .that in all probability President Roosevelt will take an early opportunity to urge a radical modification of tho famous Dingley rates. Even the Tribune, the high priest o! the gospel of Protection, declares "that the tariff in many eases, both for purposes of revenue and purposes of rational protection, could be altered to advantage." Still more remarkable. is the recent decision of the American Manufacturers' Association, the most influential body cf tariff beneficiaries ill this country. By a vote of 1510 against 102, the members, representing 77 industries, 'have declared in favour of a revision. Speaker Cannon, notoriously tho most J'anjpant Protectionist, says the Republican party is showing signs of its readiness to haul down the flag. That is not all. Secretary Taft. who is President Roosevelt's favourite for the Presidential race in the autunm of next year, said yesterday: " I am a tariff revisionist. No man can win. tho next election who does not favour changes in tho tariff.'' 1 Indeed, Secretary Taft's economic views reflect those of oxPresident Cleveland, who jn his historic Message to Congress 10 years ago denounced the system which had caused' "abnormal business profits without, a corresDondinf! benefit to [.he people at. large." Tho whole truth of the matter is that the exorbitant tariff has been responsible for hisrher prices than tho country will tolerate. Within two years the average rise in fho retail price of meat, dairy products, cotton and woollen goads, and furniture in New York has been 1$ per cent., while rents have increased on an average between 15 and 25 per cent. Incomes havo risen, too, but the universal outcry against the increased cost of living, which is the motive power bohind the demand for tariff revision, emphasises the generally-accepted fact that tho increase of earnings has not kept pace with the enhanced price of almost ovory item of household expenditure.