The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. SATURDAY, NOV. 15, 189G.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2862, 15 November 1890, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

SATURDAY, NOV. 15, 189 G.

Kqual and cixart justice to all men, Or whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

Some years back there was an agitation in progress in this colony in favour of a high protective tariff, and a considerable number of members were returned on that ticket. The then Colonial Treasurer seized this opportunity to grant the demands of the manufacturers, and thus relieve himself of some of the difliculty ho was suffering under to make both ends meet. In order to quieten those who were -.vedded by conviction to, as far as practicable, a free-trade policy, he made the specious statement that the additional duties were not to be imposed for protective purposes, but that as additional revenue was necessary, the imposition of these duties was the most convenient and least onerous mode of raising it. He, of course, commanded the voces of the Protection party, and levied heavier duties than had hitherto prevailed. The farmers in this colony must be on their guard against any further attempt to give greater force to a policy which can only be detrimental to their interests. The capitalists, who are always in search of a means to employ their capital profitably, tell the occupiers of tlie soil that if they will aid tham by paying more than otherwise would be accessary for everything they use that thov will be more than fuMy recouped by the increased demand for their produce consequent on tho number of additional mouths that would have to bo filled. Where aro tho manufactories that were tDgrow up find flourish ? Thny aro conspicuous by their absonce. Tt may bo accepted as an axiom, that in any case where more protection in required than tho cost of froight, insnranco and other charges afford, that the country is not suited to the production of tho article protocted, and its manufacture under tho circumstances is a loss to the community, for the primary reason that n cvrfain

amount of labour is diverted from its natural channel.

Our remarks have been called forth by the collapse of the protection, or it would perhaps be more correct to write, prohibitive duty party in the United States. It is true that the country has grown great under protection, or in spite of it, but this much is abundantly provod by the late elections, the people are not desirous of growing any greater by the same means. The McKinloy Bill whichhas brought aboutthedefeatof his party raised the duties on manufactured goods to a rate which would compel the people touse the home-made articlesorsuffer to the tune of 100 per cent., and in some cases more, if they gratif6ed their preference for ail article manufactured without the boundaries of the Republic.

The Farmers' Alliance, which appears to have been the principal factor in bringing about the defeat of the Republicans, seems to have been looking about for a means of retaliating upon those, who for so long have drained their resources in order to fill the pockets of manufacturers, and to find a vast army of workmen in good wages and thus swell the population of the large centres. They propose to tax large incomes and the profit of corporations, and to make illegal tiie dealing iu " futures" of all agricultural produco. The proposal is not unnatural under the circumstances, but to give effect to it would be equally contrary to a sound fiscal policy, as would be the McKinley tariff.

The American farmer is in much the same position as his compeer in this colony. Neither requires protection for that which he produces, as both have a surplus for export, the consequence is that that which is gain to the capitalist and artisan is to a large extent at his expense. The farmer competes with all the world and feeds the population in consequence at a low rate and pays high Customs duties for the privilege of doing so

Hard as the Americans hare ridden the Protection horse, it has never entered into their heads to impose duties on goods or produce, passing from one stato to another. In this they liavo shown mora wisdom unJ patriotism than the people of Australasia. The different colonies, although all acknowledge one flag, have imposed duties, and in some cases very heavy ones, on the produce or manufactures of their sisters. This policy, we fear, will never be altered till all cease to raiso tho major portion of their revenue through the Custom-house, but that it is a suicidal policy is not open to argument. There are those who dream of federation, and their dream would with little doubt be fulfilled within a limited period were it not for the Custom-houses. To abolish them means, of course, direct taxation, and Ministers in every country arc very chary of advising its imposition ; the people as a rule prefer to have the necessary revenue in a sense filched from them, than to pay periodically a sum which in the aggregate would be less. Of this we are clear, that the policy of imposing duties for the sake of fostering industries not natural to the soil, is utterly unsound, for the reasons we have given above, and those who are the greatest sufferers by the error are the cultivators of the land.