CORRESPONDENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1623, 30 July 1887, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

♦ We do not hold ourselves responsible for tlie opinions expressed by our correspondent?, FREETRADE V. PROTECTION. JO THE EDITOR.. Sir,— lf you would kindly give space for an opinion on Protection, differing a little from your own, 1 Bhould say the following : — Articles made m New Zealand must be produced either at a less expen.o than m other countries, or at an equal, or at a greater. If at a less expense protection duties would be a farce, aud indeed, an export trade would result, as ib the case now with wool and grain. If at an equal expense, as holds now m the case of some woollen manufactures, protection duties would bo still quite uncalled for. We are very prone to encourage looal industries, and this will, at any time, bo sufficient to turn tho balance m favor of our own m.nufuoturers m all cases that fall under the second head. At thia point common fairness would say that if prices were equal, tbe better articles should win the day ; but a Protectionist would say that it is better to mako for ourselves and " keep the money iv the country." Thero ib a great deal of fog and fallacy connected with thi- phrase, aod all tho real good it can do for us is contained merely m the littlo annual Barings of those employed, and of thoir dependants m any manufaoture. The right and desirable übo of the phraae refers to absentee landlordism, viz., report of rent and interest, nnd doesVnot refer to tho question of thi_ letter. As for the third class, that m whioh we cannot compote with a foreign producer, it is -imply a ruinous tax on the community to nut a prohibtive tax on importation. It is a struggle against somo natural unfitness, and nothing can be said m favor of it. So far as I oan see it is not the manufacturing industries that need to bo petted and encouraged. They are already spreading naturally quickly. It is not upon thorn that a young oountry depends for its prosperity ; but it is upon its agricultural intereßtj. upon the nett produce of tho soil. If each acre yielded itß best the colony would soon tide over the low state in 'o which bad season s have brought it, and one good growing yoar would set us all on a sound footing again. If duties are really protective, then imports and revenue from customs will decrease, and of course the property tax will have to be raised to meet tbe deficiency. Prices too m the hands of manufacturers associations will rise, but rot m the case of wheat and wool, and so the farmer will have to pay more for his candles, boots, furniture, e*o., more to the property tax, aud get the same for his wheat and wool ; and ie tho face of this can you, Sir, say he will be quite consoled by your promised rise m the price of cabbages . I scaroely think it. I am, Sir, yours, etc., J_ MES R. WlL&ltf-ON. Chestiey, 27tb July, i