FREE TRADE

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1746, 10 May 1913, Page 3

FREE TRADE

Sir,—Now that the .United States of America have made wool imported frco of duty, we should allow their manufactures to bo imported free. A-farmer here imported a bone-mill, and had to pay 35 per oent., duty. A bone-mill is as much a necessity as a disc plough. Another farmer imported a gas-engine, and had to pay 20 per cent. duty. Our land valuations are high enough, and we are taxed quite enough locally, without these extra taxes. Free-trade makes a rich and prosperous people. If all taxes on imports were removed, those who are struggling would get a chance. If we can import oheaper than local manufacture, we should have tho_ right. Local manufacturers charge twice as much on their output as Britishers, Americans, and Germans do. We who aro breaking New Zealand's waste lands into productiveness deserve more consideration, and all we requiro should be duty free. We «e using

American fools, implements, boots, pins, revolver?, rifles,, as they do better work, are lighter, and much ahead of German and British makes. When local manufacturers learn up-to-date methods by using the latest and best machines, they will get the trade, and there is no sense in robbing our struggling.. pioneers and workers to uphold obsolete methods. All wo require to live and do our work should be freo of duty, and until we eliminate all duties, wo ourselves are slaves to obsolete legislation. When all duties are removed in New Zealand in imports wo shall soon attract population ready to occupy and make productive our waste lands; therefore, instead of losing in revenue, we make a direct gain, as Now Zealand would soon outrival the Australian States, and bo tho place to live in and spend money in. Out population would soon double, and instead of attracting so many young people to towns and villages, the attraction would bo to get land in the country, where there is plenty waiting for capital and brains to make it productive. High duties bolstering industries uuablo to stand alone are only attracting to tho cities people who would be healthier, happier, and wealthier on the land. New Zealand is capable of producing vastly more, and of 'supporting a very much larger population. Emigrants like to get to a Free-trade country. Mr. W. Massey's Government is truly Liberal,, and while we have an honest, well-meaning Government, let us make useful reforms to raise New Zealand and her people above their surroundings.—l am, etc., FREE-TRADER. May 8.