THE AMERICAN WOOL DUTY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1753, 30 January 1888, Page 2

THE AMERICAN WOOL DUTY.

Oar friends at the antipodes (says the " S»n Franniaco Neva Lstter ") are still deluding themselves with the Icha that the Uulted States may make a remission uf the wool dalles m their favor. If they will persist m nursing the thought after they have ao often been warned of its folly, there is no reason why anybody hereabouts should worry himielf about disturbing their equanimity. At a practlcal people, however, they ought to divest themselves of demsions antf seek only possible Bnds. There is no more ohanoe of this country abolishing the wool duties than there is of Australia plaoing an export duty on the same artiole. The disposition towards maintaining a high protective polioy was never more pronounced m this country than it Is at the present moment. It is felt that taxston mast be reduced, but the tariff on imports that compete with any substantial interest m this country, is m no manner of danger. The internal revenue on whisky, tobacoo, aud afgarc, end possibly the eugar dutieo, will be first to go. The wool industry ia too great and powerful to .be successfully assailed from any quarter Neither of the great politic*! parties would dare to commit Itself to any i»uch assault, Some yean ago the " News Loiter " ventured to advocate a friendly arrangement by wbloh only the very finest Australian staples might be admitted at a reduced duty, but the suggestion was so nrjdotionable here that its advocacy had to be abandoned. la matters of trade onrs is ao almighty cute nation, We are quick, clear, and positive when the " main otianca" is concerned. When the Australian!) feel themsalvea m a position to negotiate a reciprocity treaty, aggree'ng to accept American manufactures at a lower rate of "duty than those from other countries, then, and not until then, is there the slightest ohanoe of their child like-and-bland proposition about our denuding ourselves of Proteotlon for their benefit being seriously ante:talced.