PROTECTION IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1856, 17 June 1887, Page 11

PROTECTION IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

How the much-vaunted Freetrade Parkes Government are continuing their Predecessors' policy of shutting out New Zealand Produce from the Sydney markets. Since the date of my last letter the present Government have receded from several of their tariff proposals. The changes have been in the direction of Protection, although this of course is strenuously denied by the* Government and the press which supports Sir Henry Parkes, and professes to be freetrade in its sentiments. In such matters it need scarcely be observed that professions go for nothing and denials for about as much. The proof of the pudding, in matters fiscal at any rate, will be proved to be not praising but eating ; and tested in this way, the recent changes are distinctly Protectionist in principle and in practice. The proposed tariff of the Treasurer in its original form was a disappointment to the sincere Freetraders, for two reasons — ifc left a good many duties which were in their operation clearly' Protective, while ifc removed not a few which had no such feature ; and it postponed for nine months the abolition of the ad- valorem duties, so fiercely denounced both in the House and the hustings by the Premier and his chief followers. The last amendment in the tariff proposals is a worse departure from the principles of the Ministry, and a worse treason to the flag which Sir Henry Parkes said he had nailed to the mast at the time of the elections. The changes all strike at New Zealand produce with the exception of those on biscuits, galvanised iron manufactures, and paints, which are put in as against Victoria. New Zealand was specially aimed at in the amended tariff by the reimposed duties on cheese, butter, bacon, hams, doors, sashes, and shutters, and 'your colony will no doubt feel the change rather more than Victoria, as the market here, in the absence of any duty on these articles, could not fail to be both large and remunerative.

The election which took place on Saturday last for Sydney South resulted in a very narrow majority for the Attorney-general over his opponent,, the most pronounced of the Protectionist party. The result was an unpleasant surprise for the Government, and still more perhaps for the city press which had scoffed at the idea of a possible success. The contest, however, may be taken as a ' sign of the times in a. political sense. Five months ago the Protectionist party were in a hopeless minority in this constituency, and it is said, with a good deal of plausibility, that if the election had not been rushed so as to leave only four days from the resignation of Mr Wise till the polling day, the Protectionist would have won. In short, the present position of affairs is this : That the Protectionist reaction is a strong one, and if it continues to gather strength the next general elections will see a Protectionist majority in the Parliament and a Protective policy inaugurated in the colony. In the meantime the Parkes Government will not venture further to reduce customs taxation, nor I think, will they introduce any feasible measure of direct taxation. There will be no grain duties under the present regime, and next season, at any rate, it is likely the market will be a good one for the leading lines of New Zealand produce. The wet season culminated in an eight-days' rain, which lasted up till Saturday last, and so far hardly any agricultural work has been done in the graingrowing districts. It is now fine and cold, bnt those learned in such questions prophesy more rain. The result of a continuance of wet weather, such as we have had for another month would undoubtedly be the prevention of any extensive agricultural operations in graingrowing for the coming season, as so far it has been impossible to prepare the land in the grain districts. On the other hand graziers cannot contain their delight at a season such as has not been known within the memory of man for pasture. In and around Sydney we have had about 40in of rainfall since January ISB7, and although the inland districts have not had so much, yet the rainfall all over the colony lias been phenomenal. The outlook is now excellent for the pastoral interests, ' but in many respects at least questionable ' for the agriculturists. If New Zealand can grow good grain crops this year, she is nearly sure of a good market in New South Wales.