THE TARIFF.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1562, 19 May 1887, Page 2

THE TARIFF.

Auckland, May 18. A mooting of the cmicnerclal community, called by the Chamber of Commero3, was held to-day, to consider the new tariff, when resolutions were passed protesting against the tariff, and recommending that the deficiency m the revenue would be best met by imposing an extra duty on tea, sugar, spirit?, tobaco), and articles especially m the nature of luxuries ; also protesting a^aiast the proposed increase of the pn party tax, and urging that if it were necessary tv increase the amouct raiaed by thU Ux, suoh increase should be obtained by reducing or doing away w : th existing exemptions ; and alao protesting againit the proposed removal of the Bubsidy to the steamer Janet JNicoll. Dunedin, May 18 A largely attended nieetiug of importers and those Interested m the tariff question was held at the Chamber of Commerce this afternoon. The following resolutions were carried*almosfunanimously : — Moved by'Mr R." Wilson— "That this meeting disapproves of the propoied alterations m the Customs tariff, which clearly indicates a* p.ilicy of protection and are not consistent with the Treasurer's avowal that they are made for reveaue purpossa " " That this meeting expresses its opinion that duties inquired for reveDixe purpo3ea should be levied so as to fall equitably upon all clashes of the community, and bo as to disturb as little aB possible the general course of trade, while the proposed tariff is not based on those principles." • Moved by Mr Gow — ''That In the opinion of this meeting no duty should be levied which is calculated ab-o'utaly to prohibit Importation, and even where it may bo deemed politic to combino enoouragonient of local industry'with the raising of the 'revenue it is unwise to impose a higher duty than 15 per cent ad valorem, or Its equivalent ." Moved by Mr Bovrn — " In the opinion of this rneet : ng the system of levying differential rites upon ctpods.of the same class opens the door to fraudulent evasions of duty, and Bhould be aboiiahed, and that a simpler and more uniform system of classification should be adopted, bo as to reduca the labor to all concerned, and render more easy the collection of duty." Moved by Mr John Roberts — "That all raw 'materials used fur the purposes of manufacturing m the colony should be admitted free." Mr James Allen moved — " Thai this meeting considers the proposal to impose a duty on certain implements, tools, pumps, etc,, used m the agricultural, pastoral, and mining industries, is burdensome and unfair to these Industries, aud especially so m view of the fact that tools of trade used m other industries are admitted free. About fifty persona were present. DuNEDi*, March. 19. The Dunedin fruit importers have telegraphed to the Colonial Treasurer protesting against the duty on fruit whioh means an additional sixpence per case. They allege the t9x will be heavily felt where fruit arrives damaged. Ihe Protection League approve generally of the duties on articles grown or manufactured In the colony, bat suggest that several artioles require classification and differential value j. The League regard it as impolitic to impose duties on articles whioh cannot be made or produced m the colony.