THE Chames Advertiser. Favour to none; fear of none; justice to all. SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1895.

Thames Advertiser, Volume XXVII, Issue 8198, 10 August 1895, Page 2

THE Chames Advertiser. Favour to none; fear of none; justice to all. SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1895.

Tjib general cry of disapproval with the tariff and thp reciprocal treaties is a proof of the difficulty which besets any Government, when it takes upon itself functions which do not belong to it. Mr Ward is an undoubtedly able man, and has commercial experience toagreateramountthan tho average politician. His intentions in proposing tho treaty with South Australia were to improve tho prospects of tho 'colony, and he is probably much hurt and surprised to lind that his proposals meot with a chorus of disapproval. But there can be no question that the damage which would bo inflicted on Auckland in particular would bo of a very serious naturo. A largo proportion of our lands seem to be suitable to grape growing, and nothing else. The admittance of South Australian wines free would make the industry hopeless, aild destroy our only hope of close settlement In fresh fruit also the loss must bo heavy, as owing to a warmer climato, Pouth Australian fruit would just beat ours in point of time, and would thereby destroy the best market our fruit growers possess.

It is conceivable that the inducements offered might bo of such a nature as to make it ad vi iable to sacri lice these industries, but wo do not think that there are any such in tbisj ease. South Austral'a has always been, a great wheat growing colony, and given the demand, would probably produce barley as cheaply as we can. In the colonies however the main demand for barley is for malting purpose, and of late, browers have been using rice malt to an increasing extent, so that we can hardly look t,o any increased domand for barley. In fcho case of oats we should undoubtedly do more trade; but wo think not to au extent justifying tlio ruin of. st many smail settlers iu the province. It is hard to see what wc are to send to Canada, unless it bo a few lines of woollen goods. Tho trade, however, iu theso cannot be large, for although the Canadians import nearly a million pounds worth sterling per annum, it must be borne in mind that this includes a great variety of material, and that wo make but a vory small variety. There might possibly bo some trade in fruit, owing to the difference in seasons, bub that will be prevented by the other treaty. In the question of timber, wc confess wo cannot see much to apprehend. A groat deal of kauri has been exported for years, and lo countries when it paid tho same duty as Canadian timber. If tho latter could bo laid down as cheaply as is contended, how comes it that any kauri whatovor has been exported to compete with ilj? 1 11 his tariff proposals, the Tim*

sui'cv seems to bavc met with little more success, tlmn with the treaty proDosals. The chief item of iuteresi is in llifi fhnelht cs, in which a duly of twenty per cent has been imposed ou goods that used to be free. The intention of this is of course to cause people to use New Zealand made flannels in placo« of imported cotton goods. The first result, however, is that the shirt makers declare their industry will be ruined. Mr Ward proposes to meet them by allowing flannollettes import d to come in free if cut into short lengths. As a political measure this will probably meet tho case; but if it be dono, the speeial protection to the woollen industry will almost dis appear ; while on the other hand it seems scarcely fair or politic to tix tho thrifty housewife who does her own sewing, while letting of! the factory owner who employs a quantity of girls in making underclothing, when they should be learning to keep house and rear children. It is useless, however, to point out tho inconsistencies of protection. It is in fact one huge inconsistency; for its object is to make the country rich by taking money out of one man's pocket, and putting it into another's. Evcrv man, the price of whose product has been inflated by law, feels that ho is robbed when the undue inflation is withdrawn, and while he proclaims aloud his wrongs, and calls on heaven to witness the iniquities which are being perpetrated, there is no one to say a word for tho unforj tunate consumer. The working man is of courso the greate t suftcrer, for he is .taxed 011 the greater part of his income. The wealthy on the other hand pays duty on but a small proportion of his expenditure. But as the working man calls out for protection iu is to be presumed he is satisfied. \V hen shall wo see a party with sufficient courage to advocate a tariff for l'cvenuo only, and practising economy in order to be ablo to reduce that tariff". Such a party would grow, for it would have reason on its side, and perhaps when our present effete opposition has disappeared, such a party may be born.