MR RICHMOND AND PROTECTION.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXVI, Issue 3102, 19 January 1871, Page 2

MR RICHMOND AND PROTECTION.

♦ TO THB EDITOB OV THB INDKPENDENT. g IBj —^ I happen to be one of those "stupid people who advocate the policy of protection to native industry," I candidly , acknowledge that Mr Richmond's line ot argument has in no way disturbed my fuith in that policy, and I cannot help thinking that it must be looked at by Mr Richmond through the wrong end of tho telescope. There were i but two plain statements made with regard to , protection : the first was that " the man who made maohinery did not want a tax put upon files, as he did not manufacture them " Surely , Mr Richmond is aware that the spirit of pro- , tection consists in taxing only what we cannot manufacture. The second statement was to the effect that it would bo absurd to attempt , to protect labor. Now, I am of a different opinion, and think it would be jußt as easy to protect labor a 9 it would bo to protect capital. Sir, I havo no doubt that Mr Riohmond is quite as sincere about the land question as he , appears fo be about the question of protection, and in his endeavors to be the "obedi&nt , servant" of two masters, neither will be well served. It is quite apparent that Mr Richmond's policy is to look well after the interests ; of the " monied men 5" he would not, therefore, think of shutting her marketable manufactures out of the colonial market, as I dare say he is of opinion that it would be the height of , ingratitude on the part of chickens that have been bo tenderly handled — particularly of late. P I will conclude by simply stating that as Mr Borlase is to a great extent a protectionist, I would much prefer voting for him. — I am, &o, Tip. 1 '