PROTECTION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 178, 7 December 1868, Page 3

PROTECTION.

The Australasian of Nov. 21 contains the following remarks: — The Legislative Council of New Zealand has been- studying Mill's Political Economy, and has found matter for profitable study in the famous exceptional clause. It has accordingly presented for the consideration of the legislatures report, on finance,-in which it recommends, as an offset against native ware; and natural convulsions, a protective tariff for the enc uragement of homo industries. Whereupon the Otago Times very pertinently remarks that it would be grateful to the Council if it would point out the coloniul manufacturers that are at present in suspense for want of artificial aid. It goes on to say that " in all the colonies except Victoria the protectionists form a minority. A protective tariff has been established in the last-named colony after a violent and protracted struggle; in New South Wales, the efforts of the protectionists have hitherto been unsuccessful ; while in South' Australia, Tasmania, and Queensland, the advocates of protection are not yet powerful enough to make their voices heard beyphri their respective boundaries. New Zealand has hitherto stcod in the same position as the last named colonies. Nothing has been heard from it abroad on the subject of protection Its people are supposed to be so entirely occupied Tfith the production of raw material, that the necessity, for legislative assistance to their industries has not yet presented itself." Now the encourgement of colonial industry is the raisondCetre. of this journal. We should be J 'quite' the last to discourage any legislation ~ that led effectually to the development of the jesburces of these countries. We think, for 'instance, that, bonuses may legitimately be " offeree] to enterprising and ingenious persons "^wHoYtfiEe'but'tfew" paths for the employment .of our population. But : the worst of these

protective duties is that, when- / "<ra6e»bejruh, they have a tendency to increase, Mr Mill's exceptional proposition is adopted, but the limitations which he attaches to it are ignored. Interests important in themselves, though trifling as compared with those of the community at large, grow up under this fosteriug influence, and by their concentration offer a resistance wbieh the disconnected efforts of the aggrieved majority are unable to overcome, until the burden becomes so heavy that it is thrown off at last with all the violence and inconsiderateness of a revolution. We should therefore advise our NeW Zealand friends not to go through this disease of infancy if they can escape it, and to seek more legitimate means for the removal of the difficulties which are ■at present casting a cloud over their usually bright prospects.