The Feilding Star. Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette. Published Daily. TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1895. THE NEW TARIFF.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 32, 6 August 1895, Page 2

The Feilding Star. Oroua & Kiwitea Counties Gazette. Published Daily. TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1895. THE NEW TARIFF.

It is not too much to say that the new Customs Tariff has not found favour in the eyes of the people. From north to south the cry is the same — that the working classes of the colony are to have still heavier burdens placed on them, while the employers will have tlieir enterprises paralysed by the opening of our ports to rivals in the several industries whicli have been called into existence ancl fostered by the protective policy which has obtained for so many years. In Auckland the importation of Canadian timber is expected to prove a powerful rival to the famous kauri, and the tinned ancl preserved hsh will extinguish the New Zealand factories in that connection. In Dunedin and Christchurch those engaged in the leather trade are up in arms, while the clothiers and outfitters are prepared to prove to a demonstration that they require no more protection, because they can compete both in quality and price with any imported article. The jewellers and cutters of precious stones exclaim against a law which will compel them to send work to Europe, where they can get it done cheaper than here, notwithstanding the almost prohibitive duty put 011 it The fruitgrowers, who, by the way, have clone less for themselves and deserve less consideration perhaps for that reason, are protesting against the treaty with South Australia, under which this colony cannot help being the most favoured country of the two. The fact is the times are bad, trade is dull, prices for stock — although improving — are far from being at a profitable level, and capitalists have no confidence whatever in the outlook. It may be concluded, then, under such circumstances any tariff which proposes to increase the cost of living, while reducing the opportunities of earning anything to live upon, must give universal dissatisfaction, because everybody — rich ancl poor — is made to suffer to a greater or lesser extent.