TRADE POLITICS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1258, 30 March 1878, Page 2

TRADE POLITICS.

To the Editor of the Globe. Sib, —New Zealand has accepted and approved the fact, that " Trade shall be eased of its burden," and in a few weeks more those, who hold the helm of politics, will exercise their power, and alter the " incidence of taxation." If it were not for the dead past, with its false finance, false taxation, and false class favours, the matter might be easy, or at all events not attended with tremendous results for the merchants and shopkeepers; but, with all that incubus of erratic legislation, lying like a heavy nightmare upon the slumbering traders, who can dare to put his hand to the tariff, and to re-adjust it without damage to trade ? Imagine all the duties on cotton goods, drapery, woollen goods, hardware, crockery, slops, and boots gone in an instant! What about stocks on hand ? What about colonial industries ? What about the factories? It must be obvious, even to the late Ministry, that it would be dangerous to clean out their errors with an unsparing broom. Having had a longer experience in business than most of the merchants and bankers in New Zealand, they will doubtless be glad to receive from me the following suggestions : That [the Chambers [of Commerce in all New Zealand should take the tariff, as it stands, into consideration, with a view to finding where it can be altered for the public goad, with the least detriment to the public and to trade. That the shopkeepers of the various trades should by their members who are in the various Chambers consult, and make reports and suggestions. Unless something is done in this direction, I fear some harm may accrue to the public or to trade through want of knowledge in our politicians, for indeed a close study of " Hansard" leads a careful thinker almost to doubt the sanity of some who "represent" constituencies. Yours, &c, J. W. TREADWELL.