The Fielding Star. THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1886. Trade with Australia

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 128, 8 April 1886, Page 2

The Fielding Star. THURSDAY, APRIL 8, 1886. Trade with Australia

The trade between this colony and New South Wales, the extent of which was shown by a Parliamentary paper of which a condensation was published by us, is likely to receive an unpleasant check if a movement now on foot among the farmers in New South Wales, gains sufficient impetus. The soul of the idea is to encourage agriculture by imposing a tax on the produce of other colonies. A deputation consisting of 20 members of Parliament waited on the Premier, and the following is the gist of what was said — "The neighboring oolony Victoria taxed all N.S W.s agricultural products, while N.S.W. admitted the same from Victoria free, with the result that the latter took advantage of the open market to swamp it with grain, &c." One speaker said " That colony not only imposed duties on our agricultural produce, thereby keeping it out of their markets, but in addition charged 10s for every cow and calf that crossed into Victoria, 5s for every bullock, and Is for every sheep. On the other hand New South Wales allowed their stock in free. He thought tie time had arrived when we should protect ourselves so that our farmers at any rate should be placed on an equality with those of Victoria." Another speaker said — " Owing to the hostile tariff of Victoria, the farmers of N.S.W. werebeing gradually driven off the colony's lands. JMany cultivation paddocks had to be given up, simply because wheat growing did not pay. The land was well adapted for the purpose, but it was situated at a great distance from the metropolis, and the farmers could not compete with the selfish traffic of Victoria." Mr H. Clarke said the difference of freights handicapped the N.S.W. agriculturists. The shipping freights for produce from Victoria were from 3s to 6a a ton, from Warranambool about 12s, from New Zealand 10s, whereas in N.S.W., owing to the bad harbors of the northern rivers, the freights to Sydney were from 15s to £l a ton. The district he represented (Eden) had been favored by the imposition of a duty of 2d per Id on cheese, hams and bacon, and if such encouragement was given to dairy produce he did not see why agriculturists should not be similarly assisted. The Premier, Sir Patrick Jennings, made a temporising reply. He said he thought when so large a number of members of Parliament expressed the views they seemed to so firmly hold, it was his duty to give their statements careful consideration. Should the farming interest be able to force their views on the N.S.W. Parliament and compel the Government to abandon their policy of Freetrade, the evil of this would be sharply felt by New Zealand. During the year, ending June, 1885, we exported to that colony ! produce valued at £666,952, and for the same period in 1886, we believe this sum to have been increased to £1.000,000 — owing to the heavy droughts having created an extraordinary demand for produce from the dairys of New Zealand. The question is therefore one of deep interest to us, and we expect the results of the agitation will be watched for with keen interest in our own neighborhood, as many of our farmers have already experienced the advantages of the N.S.W. market. [Since the above was written we learn from our telegrams that Sir Patrick Jennings has delivered his Financial Statement showing a deficiency of £1,703,000. It is proposed to increase the customs tariff and to include imported barley and butter, to double the present duty on hops, and to put a five per cent. ad valorum duty on a number of articles now admitted free. A land tax on unimproved land, and a tax on all incomes over £300 a year are proposed. Free Trade in New South Wales is now a thing of the past.]