AMERICA AND NEW ZEALAND WOOL.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1967, 11 October 1888, Page 3

AMERICA AND NEW ZEALAND WOOL.

Among the numerous hopeful features of the outlook at the present time, and which betoken returning prosperity e| Hi distant date is the prospect that fba United States will shortly relax her tariff laws m favor of Australasian wool. A Bill to this end has indeed been passed by the American House of Representatives, but was rejected by the Senate, but there is good reason to hope that a similar Bill will become law and that at no distant date. Mr G. W. Griffin, Consul for the United States is evidently of this opinion, for speaking at a banquet given recently m Sydney m recognition of his efforts m connection with the introduction of Australasian wool into the United States he is reported to have said ; " The strict rules oi the United States' foreign service prevent me from disenssing political or fiscal questions except with the Department of State at Washington, but as that Department has not hesitated to authorise the publication of my views m regard to the admission of Australasian wools free of duty, I violate, I think, no rule of official etiquette m stating that shortly after my arrival m these colonies nearly ten years ago as Consul at Auckland, New Zealand, I began the advocacy of the repeal of the unjust tariff laws, which geemed to me to be the principal obstacles m the way of anything like fair and free exchange of commodities between the United States and Australasia. I rejoice to say that these opinions were supported by loading public men of both the great political parties m America, and now a Bill has passed the House of Representatives admitting Australasian wools without the unjust tax. That the Bill will ultimately pass the Spnate and become law I have not the slightest doubt. The President of the United States has m the most emphatic manner signified his intention of giving the measure his approval. The Bill will, I think, be of gnitf Nefct to totb couutriep, aad

] especially to my own. The fine, longj stapled wools of Australasia cannot be I easily grown m the United States, where they are greatly desired by manufacturers to mix with American wools of a coarser and shorter growth. The best authorities are very decided m the opinion that the mlllowners m the United States can compete successfully with those of Europe m the manufacture of fine cloths and dress goods as soon as they can obtain Australasian wools. At present they are obliged to import the great bulk of these goods from England, France, Germany, and Belgium. Nor would the change m the law affact injuriously the American flockmaster, for there would then be a greater demand than at present for domestic wools to combine with foreign wools. It is often said that the United States is the greatest manufacturing country m the world on account of Protection, and that she would never consent to change her policy. Now, that is a poor sort of reasoning. Even Protectionists are m favor of admitting raw materials free of duty, and, besides, if they were not, I would never give up the fight for a just principle. I know how difficult it is to overcome old customs and prejudices, and that m attempting to do so our patience is often tried to the utmost, but victory is sure to come at last, and the reward will be brighter and greater because we have struggled manfully to win it. The American woollen manufacturers are beginning to understand why their mills are idle, and that if they^ wish to build up their industry they must have wools of a different kind from those grown m their own country. The superb condition of the . Australasian wools is due principally to climatic influences, and to the unparalleled rich ness of the natural grasses. It has always seemed strange to me that a ! country originally without a single animal of the ovine type should, m so short a period, produce so many million sheep, and ot a quality superior to any m their native homes. It is an interesting historical fact that while sheep were found wild m Europe, Asia, Africa, and America, there were none m Australasia. Now there are nearly 100,000,000 sheep m these colonies, which produce more than one fifth of the world's supply of wool. It is no news for me to tell you that this is your greatest industry, and that there is more wealth m it than m all your gold and silver and other minerals put together. It remains for you to guard and protect and to carry it to still grander proportions. You need not be afraid of other interests encroaching upon your domain. With the helpof irrigation you can grow m this great island continent all the wool the world will require for many years to come. The marvellous growth of this industry will cause other industries to spring up scarcely less valuable, for your soil and climate will grow to perfection every product under the sun. " Consul Griffin's remarks apply equally to New Zealand, which, if his prediction as to the impending change m the American tariff prove true, as we hope it may, will share with the other Australasian colonies m tho fillip which will necessarily be given thereby to the wool industry, and m the enhancement of values which may then be regarded as a certainty.