DREADNOUGHT TAXATION.

Taranaki Herald, Issue 13917, 29 May 1909, Page 3

DREADNOUGHT TAXATION.

A CONSUL'S PROTEST.

Per Press Association.

CHRISTCHURCH, May 28.

At the quarterly meeting of the Canterbury Chamber oi" Commerce, Mr. Joosten (German Consul) criticised the proposal to pay the cost of the Dreadnought by a surcharge on European and colonial importations. He felt that the motion was directed against Germany. The United States exported largely to New Zealand and was left •out. If it were directed against Gefmany, it also meant penalising our ally France. Ho opposed Germany being penalised, as .there appeared an excellent opportunity of the German markets being thrown open to New Zealand frozen meat. He hoped the Government would ignore the resolution, as it deserved to bo ignored. Tho chairman said he did not know that the resolution was directed specially against Germany, but was carrying out tho principle of preference to the mother country.