UNBIASED OPINIONS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 6797, 2 July 1885, Page 2

UNBIASED OPINIONS.

[W» deem it right to stnto that we in no war idontitj ourselvos with the opinions expressed in article; appearing under this head.]

WHAT FREETRADE HAS DONE. It was confidently supposed by Cobden, when he inaugurated his Freetrade policy, that the example of England would be followed by the other leading countries of the world, and that it would result in each country producing what it was most fitted for. He used these words : — "The effects of a Freetrado in corn would be this — It would increase the demand for agricultural produce in Poland. Germany, and America. The incrense in the demand for agricultural produce would give rise to an increased demand for labour in those countries, which would tend to raise the wages of agricultural labourers. Tho effect would be to draw away labourers from manufactures in those places." Forty years have passed away since Cobden made this prediction, and it will be found that his words are completely falsified. Instead o£ other nations seeing their error,nnd adopting Freetrade, almost universal protectiou is being adopted. Those nations saw that something more than agriculture would be required to employ their ever-increasing population, and that a home market for their produce was to bo preferred to a foreign one. They saw that their manufactures wanted fostering and protecting till lirtnly established. Events have proved the wisdom of this course, for wo find that not only are the British being gradually shut out of their markets, but that they are actually beginning to undersell them in their own markets. We find the shops crowded with Yankee "notions" and clocks, and Germany flooding the English markets with cheap hose and cutlery, to say nothing oE the bric-a-brac and articles dc luxe, with which we are almost exclusively supplied by France nnd Germany. Then, under protection, countries are not only enabled to increase their home trade, but also to enter competition with England. If it has not interfered with tho development of artistic skill, what harm has protection done to them, and what has tho present one- sided Freetrade done for us? Are wo to set ourselves on a lofty pinnacle of pride and egotism, and say to theshiewd business men of America, Germany, France, &c, '' You are all fools ; why don't you adopt Freelrade ! Wo contain all the concentrated wisdom of the world, why doa't you follow our example?" But really though we call ourselves Freetrader^ wo are the most Protectionist nation in the world. These figures arc significant :—: — •

Now as it seems that we cannot do without duties of some kind would it not be preforable for tho British Government to take the the duties oil tea, coffee, &c , which ore mainly consumed by tho working class, and put a corresponding duty on luxuiies, such as silk, jewellery, &c. By co doi -.g tho British would not only obtain a free breakfast table, but be fostering their own manufactures likewise. They would soon bo able to rival tho foreigner in artistic design, and once the trade was established thero is no doubt the nuturul talent of our countrymen would coaie to tho fore. Protection.

The committee o£ the ball to bo given by the members of the Orange Society are making every preparation to make it a success. The duto has been fixed for 13th July, and hb usual it will be held in the Freemasons' Hall.

Population. Customs. Austria ... 37,780,3*6 collects £2,950,000 Russia ... 83,959,351 „ 8,887,000 Germany 45,234,061 „ 9,319,000 France ... 37,321,186 „ 13,096,000 United Kingdom 35,003,789 „ 19,210,000 For the United Kingdom the- customs were produced by the following :—: — Tobacco ... ... in 1881... £8,658,947 Tea „ ... 3,865,720 Spirits , ... 4,443 607 Wine „ ... 1,376,219 Coffee „ ... 200,251 Cocoa, chicory, dried fruit, &c. ... „ ... 665,722 Total £19,210.466