TARIFF ALTERATIONS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13985, 19 August 1907, Page 5

TARIFF ALTERATIONS.

(Per United Prkss Association.) AUCKLAND., August 16. At, a meeting of the executive of the Auckland A. and P. Association to-day it was resolved to wire to the Prime Minister and the Auckland members urging that, in the interest of the country as a whole, there should be no alteration in the tariff, a-? it would bo calculated lo handicap tl.e dairy industry by increasing the cost of dairy machinery. August 17. The Auckland West, Branch' of the Liberal and Labour Federation lias forwarded to the Government a communication on the subject, of tho new tariff. It expresses the opinion that any alteration of the tariff should bo in the direction of lessening tho burden of taxation upon the poorer-paid worker, removing anomalies, and giving reasonable protect ion to local industries. "This we tako to be tho essence of liberalism," they say; " and unless it is given offeot to the present Government will undoubtedly forfeit in a considerable measure its claim to the support of the people. We desire lo compliment the Government upon tho remission of many of the duties that have pressed very hard upon the workers of the colonv, and were it not that the increases in Ihe tariff will bit, (be worker very hard indeed, they would be matter for sincere congratulation. We are greatly disappointed that the duly on potatoes is still retained, as that presses very hard upon the workers and is of no practical benefit to (ho farmers of the colony, and in our opinion should be inoperative when tho price reaches £4 per ton. We strong) v protest against, the increase of the duties upon sowing machines, lawn mowers, machine oil, hosiery, brushware, drugs, candlos. printing paper, and patent medicines. The increase of these duties will very much discount the remission upon other articles. The amazing increase in the dntv upon boots and shoes, if agreed to, will be most oppressive to the poorer portion of the community," Details aro then given of various iiems objected to.