The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, NOV. 7, 1885. Free Trade or Protection

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 64, 7 November 1885, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, NOV. 7, 1885. Free Trade or Protection

A deputation from the Manufacturers Association in Dunedin, waited on Sir Julius Yogel to present him with a resolution passed by the Association, That the policy of the Government, in fostering and promoting local industries, had their hearty support and sympathy. Sir Julius, of course, expressed gratification at the resolution, and suggested that pressure should be brought to bear on the members, as at present Dunedin was the strong hold of the ultra-Free Trade party. Further on, Sir Julius suggested that members should be got to say exactly what they betitved in — rather a difficult task even for Sir Julius — and the deputation said they would endeavor to get members at the next election to declare for Protection or Free Trade. In our opinion this endeavor to find party cries for the next general election of such an undefined character as Protection v Free Trade, betrays the more astute mind of Sir Julius. No one knows better than him that the average candidate or member is completely in the dark as to the relative meanings of the two terms. This ignorance is not supprising when it is remembered that the greatest statesmen and thinkers of the past fifty years have been at issue on the question, and that at the present moment an endeavor is being made in England to alloy either of the terms by the introduction of a new word, Fair Trade, in order that a workable metal may be created. This by tiie way. Nothing would suit Sir Julius better than to have the opposing banners at the next general election inscribed Free Trade in the one case, and Protection in the other. He would at once assume the j leadership of the latter, secure in qb- | taining the support of the Townmemi hers, while as a natural consequence the Country members would rally under the leadership of Major Atkinson. The battle for the elections would be fought on one field, but the j opposing parties, when they met in the House, wonld be ranged as the Town against the Country, when Bir Julius would certainly command a majority by the Town members being ' pledged to favor Protection, as against the Free Trade of the Country representatives. We will spare our readers the pain and ourselves the labor of describing the scene which would probably be enacted in the House when the several speakers endeavored to " say exactly what they mean," by either Free Trade or Protection. If Sir Julius can so adjust matters as to .bring about tliis condition of parties his position for another term would be j absolutely secure. All the difficulties which now surround his Government will be removed or explained away at

the next meeting of Parliament. The glamour of unpopularity which over- . hangs his Ministry will have given place to the brightness apparent on ; every side from the increased prosperity of the colony. He will claim the honor of having brought this about, and triumphantly point out how the ; country has advanced by " leaps and - bounds," out of the " slough and des- , pond " iff which he found it when he took it under his guidance and protection — always protection. In conclusion we must express a hope that the people will not allow themselves to t be beguiled into the pitfall to which Sir Julius would lead them. There exist no clear party lines in New Zealand, nor do we think them either - desirable or necessary. The present modeof returning men to represent con- , stituencies; more upon their individ- • ual merits than because they are mere ' blind followers of a blind leader, is ■ best suited to an independent people f who can at present boast that they | are the freest in the whole world.