TAX ON SUGAR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1355, 16 January 1905, Page 2

TAX ON SUGAR.

A DEPUTATION. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 5.15 p.m., Jan. 14. London Jan 14. Mr Austen Chamberlain, replying to a deputation representing the sugar-using trades, declined to discontinue or modify a tax producing a revenue of six millions. Instead of describing as a sugar tax what was oniy a tax on raw material, tho deputation ought to have described it as one of several taxes on food, snob as tea and other articles taxed under the present system. For many years the r3W sugar tax was 30 per cent., and the raw tobacco tax 600 per cent, on value. The deputation practically admitted that the development of industries was dependent on artificial cheapness. The Sugar Bounties Convention tended to restore tho national course of trade. The deputation was not entitled to expect the maintenance of artificial conditions for one particular indnstry, refusing protection to any other. They were not entitled to ask for sugar below the cost of production of sugar. The articles imported paid the same duty themselves. It was true that the remedy was fresh sources cf supply. Imports of cane sugar had largely increased, and he predicted a greater increase.