HOW THE TARIFF WORKS.

West Coast Times, Issue 8056, 19 January 1891, Page 4

HOW THE TARIFF WORKS.

Towards the conclusion of last session a paper was laid on the table of the House* embracing a comparison of the Customs duties collected during 1887 and 1889, to show the operation of the great increases which had been made in the Customs tariff. It is noteworthy (says the Auckland Herald) that, although the duty on every kind of spirits was raised, the amount realised fell off. When this is noted in regard to other articles, the reply is that the difference is accounted for by the creation of an industry within the colony, and that so the country has gained. But no manufacture of spirits has been created, or at least none was meant to be created. In 1887 brandy was taxed at 14s 6rt per gallon ; in 1889 the duty was 15* and 16s ; and yet on this item the revenue lost L 15,913. On geneva the duty was similarly raised, and yet was lost L 15,367. On whisky we lost Lll,Bol. How is this to be accounted for ] . Not certainly by diminished consumption. There could ba no such sudden fall as that. There is no other solution of the problem except by supposing the creation of smuggling and illicit distillation by the high rate of duty. In all probability the practice will increase as time goes on. On reaper and binder twine there has been a duty of 15 per cent, for some years, and when the last change was made in the tariff no increase waß made on this item ; yet in 1889, as compared with 1887, there was a decrease in the Customs duty received of L 629, showing that the local manufacture must have increased, although the duty was not raised, as with almost everything else. On all machinery (engines, boilers, spinning and weaving, wool and hay pressing, &&,), there was in 1880 a duty of 20 per cent., while in 1887 this class of articles I was admitted free. It seems an astounding way to promote native industry, to increase the price of machinery necessary for almost every new industry ; but it was done. The amounts obtained were trifling and it is not worth while loading the industry of the Colony for them. The 20 per cent., on sawmill machinery returned, in all, L 26;2 6; while on wool and hay pressing machinery L 6 was realised. On spinning and weaving machinery L 450 was obtained. Nobody here would think of commencing the manufacture of such machinery, ana that L 450 was dear money to the Treasury. The 20 per cent, was simply a penalty on entering on any spinning and weaving industry. On carriages and carts there was an increase in the duty from 15 to 20 per cent ; but whole increase in the amount obtained by the revenue was LB. In 1887 cheese was admitted free ; in 1889 a duty of 20 per cent, was placed upon it, but all we got was L 7. The duty on drapery was increased from 15 to 20 per cent., and yet we lost L 46,066. In all the changes of th» tarift we have followed the example of America, and have been gradually approaching the M'Kinley standard, increasing the cost of living, and burdening the staple industries of the colony, which are our only sources of wealth. If the mass of jthe people do not take care, "rings" and "syndicates" will be created here as in America, which will simply manipulate the tariff to increase the gains of their monopolies.— Dunedin Star.

Agent wanted, by English maker of stand* ing for high-class lubricating oils and petroleum jellies. Splendid brand of durable quality. Extremely low quotations and liberal terms to a house who could do a good trade aud buy outright.— Hamilton & Co., Wandflwork, London, England. — Avvt. The Agent-General met together to Confer with the Government anent certain comme-'cal treaties, but in the absence of tbe High Commissioner for Canada nothing con Id be done, and after fome desultory chat the oaeet'ng was adjourned for Sir Obarles Tupptr's attendance.

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