The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1888. The Tariff

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 129, 31 May 1888, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, MAY 31, 1888. The Tariff

The new Customs Tariff should satisfy the most rabid Protectionist. Every article which can be made in the colony is now taxed so heavily that local manufacturers should — if there be any real truth in the doctrine of protection— have rosey times before them, even in the near future. All imported articles of luxury have now such heavy imposts upon them that their use will be practically prohibited to persons of ordinary means, only to be enjoyed by those who intend to pay their debts by the aid of the Bankruptcy Court. Working men will, as a matter of course, be the heaviest sufferers, inasmuch as the duty on tea has been increased from 4d to 6d ; mustard, Id to 2d ; pepper, Id to 2d ; rice and rice flour, 6s per 100 lbs, an increase of Is lOd ; salt, from being free now has to pay 20s per ton ; cigars and snuff have been raised from 6s to 7s; Tobacco, for manufacture only, 2s 6d ; glue and size (formerly free), l^d per lb; Matches, 100 in the box, Is the gross of boxes ; paints and colors ready for use, from 2s to 4s per cwt ; common soap, from 3s 6d to 5s per cwt ; starch, from 3s per cwt to 18s 8d ; brooms and brushes, from 15 to 20 per cent, ad valorum ; cabinet™ are, from 15 to 25 per cent. ; furniture from 15 to 25 per cent. ; upholstery, from free to 25 per cent. ; boots and shoes, from 20 per cent. ; chaff, 20s per ton ; patent medicines, 25 per cent *, soda ash, Is per cwt. j wearing apparel, bonnets, and drapery, 25 per cent. ; fuis, feathers, haberdashery, hats, 20 per cent. ; millinery, 25 per cent. ; shirts, of all kinds, 25 per cent. ; blankets, 20 per cent. ; hosiery, all woollen, and cotton goods, 20 per cent ; machinery, 20 per cent. ; metal manufactures, 20 per cent. We have selected these items almost at random just to show that the new taxation will press very heavily on the ''great majority." We agree with the necessity for increased taxation in order to put the revenue on a par with the expenditure of the colony, and, with the solitary exception of the duty on tea, have at the present time of writing, no great fault to find with the new tariff. We think if a reduction had been made in the vote for Education by raising the school age of children one year, the working or laboring classes would not find themselves very seriously affected. Many parents would sooner keep the younger members of their families at home, even if they were a trouble, than be deprived or stinted in the use of tea, which has now become one of the necessaries of life, We hope the Colonial Treasurer will not be disappointed in the results hoped to follow from the increased tariff, but we have strong fears that the real workers of the colony will be unable to bear the increased burdens put upon them. We recognise the well directed efforts of the Government in reducing the Civil list, and inaugurating a system of greater economy in the public expenditure. We firmly believe their intentions to be based absolutely on principles of justice so far as their surroundings will permit. The announcement that the colony has fairly undertaken to pay its debts without incurring further liabilities in loans should have the best effect on the credit of New Zealaud at Home.