The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, MAY 8, 1886. Trade with New South Wales

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 141, 8 May 1886, Page 2

The Feilding Star. SATURDAY, MAY 8, 1886. Trade with New South Wales

When it was proposed in the New South Wales Assembly to impose a duty on imported produce, we commented on the serious check the opertion of New Zealand farmers would receive if the proposition had been carried. Since that time we have learned the resolution was negatived by forty-iive to twenty-two votes. Although this result goes far to prove that there is a powerful majority of the House determined to maintain their principles of freetrade, yet it is apparent a considerable number of the legislators are inclined towards a protective policy. When our previous article was published on this question (April 8), we informed our readers that the deputation which waited on the Premier, Sir Patrick Jennings, consisted of twenty members of Parliament, who, if judged by their speeches then, and their actions since are both united and determined. When making his Financial Statement, Sir Patrick Jennings said he was aware many of the sister colonies have advantages not possessed by New South Waleß by reason of their having agricultural lands close to the seaboard, thereby having the advantage of water carriage, which can always compete with land carriage. He said many of the advocates of a small tax on breadstuffs advocate it rather on the ground of its having a steadying effect on prices, and keeping at a fairly remunerative average from year to year, rather than causing an actual increase in the average price of produce. Whatever way he looked at these concessions and arguments it remained a faot that the agricultural progress of New South Wales had not kept pace with the spirit of enterprise shown in developing nearly all the other leading industries of the colony. In order to overcome, if possible, this sluggishness the Government propose to create a Department of Agriculture to obtain a full and accurate knowledge as to the best means of promoting and furthering the agricultural industries of the colony. From this our farmers will see there exists no immediate reason to fear that the markets of New South Waleß, which have in the past proved so useful to them, will be closed for some years to come. But, they should note the injurious effects of a protective tariff on grain crops and dairy produce as a telling argument in fayor of freetrade.