FARMER AND MR D. THOMAS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1910, 4 August 1888, Page 2

FARMER AND MR D. THOMAS.

TO THB EDITOB,

Sir, — Mr Thomas wonders how a Freetrader oan allow Protection to be a benefit to the few and not to the many. By your leave I should like to show bow I think lt works, both to him and your readers. Suppose Mr Thomas wisheß to make his son (if he haa one) an auotioneer. To ensure what he oonslders bucooss the number m that trade must be restricted, and bo a license fee of fifty or an hundred pounds la required from all outside the Thomaß family. Thia would be to the benefit of the few ootrpoalng the firm, not so to the many, who do not. Again, should outsiders be able to oonduot bualnes3 for one, or even one-half per oent lesa than the established firm, who ia to gain by the dlfterenoe. The firm, or the olients, who are the larger In number, are shut np to employ it. So lt la clear Protection will benefit the few ln the present, and likewise be an lnjary to the many. Against this, as a Freetrader, I protest. Time passes on, and the family of Thomaies have grown and increased while Btill m the trade, until by natural competition the qhargea of auotlon sates are reduoed to the level of outßlde m&l---keta. For them Protection has ooased ; its benefita are shared by the many of the firm, and the cry of unemployed auctioneers rlaeth ln our mldat, Still, Protection will point and B»y, " Behold my work. I have cheapened prioea . I have employed looal ability ; I have created a looal market." To all thia I say "No, you have not." Growth there must be, and the aame reaulta will be more qafokly produaed by nou-interfer-ence with the laws of aupply|and demand, only with this difference — there would be more names m the bqejnoaa than Thomas, whioh I have taken only for example j with the gentleman I am not acquainted. The grand preotpt,- whioh is life alike to the nation and the Individual, la, Do good to all men. Protection means defenoe, and we farmers do not wish' to be defended from oheap merchandise, the prloe of onr own being at a very low ebb, with at preaent excepting sheep, whose example I hope me will not follow, In thai they are yearly fleeced. Thanking you {or apace granted.— l am, etc., Farmeb,