PROTECTION.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1941, 14 May 1880, Page 3

PROTECTION.

TO THE BDITOB OF THE FBBBS. Sib, —Your correspondent "R P. 8." appears to think it strange that everyone does not accept as final the arguments that have been advanced in favor of freetrade by Adam Smitb, McCullcch, Stuart Mill, Fawcett, and others ; but a little more reflection might have led him to the conclusion that there is nothing very strange in it after all, since wiser heads than hiß or mine in almost every country in the world have battled with both sides of this great question, and have agreed to differ, and to day the question is as far from so!tied as ever it was; and I suppose as long as the world rolls there will be in every community a large section who will continue to think that different circumstance* alter cases, and this is about the position of " Free Trade and Protection." Even one of the authorities quoted by " 8.P.8.," viz., Stuart Mill, has stated that a young country might, under certain restrictions, adopt protection. But, Sir, it is not so much to discuss this question as to rebut some of the statements made by " K.P.8." having a more personal tendency, that I am tempted to reply. No doubt it is hard for him to think that a man can take an interest in any movement without having gome personal object to gain, but I can only assure him that I do so from a firm conviction that it is absolutely necessary that more manufacturing should be done in this colony than hitherto. With regard to the boot and shoe trade, "R P. B." states—" There are several large establishments that have risen from small olios to extensive ones without the aid of protection." You are wrong, "R. P. 8.," they have grown into tolerably extensive ones and they have had protection. But perhaps he would not consider it protection. It stands thus : Seven years ago the duties were 5s per foot measurement, or say equal to 3 per ceut. ad valorem —the Government changed tho rate to 10 per cent, ad valorem, and that at once gave a considerable impetus to the local factories,and they have grown into their present dimensions. They have quite destroyed the importation of all the descriptions made here, and what has been the result to the publio ? Why, boots and shoes are sold now at 10 per. cent, loss than when the duties were only 3 per cent., and as manufacturing goes on, no doubt they will be cheaper still. In thig particular case the arguments freely used by free traders, viz., that protection increases the cost to the consumers, are quite upßet, and I believe it will eventually prove to be the same with many other artioles. The boot and shoe trade are not clamoring for " protection." The only recommendation made to the tariff committee was that if the Government contemplated any change they should change the fixed duty of 8d per pair on womeu's bootß to 15]por cent, ad valorem, and the effact of this would be to allow a lot of " oheaper lines " to come in at lees than present duty, and put a little more on the other sorts ; and they farther recommended that men's be raised 6i per pair, which would put them back to their old duty of 10 per cent, ad valorem. I do not think for a moment that the boot and shoe trade are likely to agitate for any further changes in the tariff. Yourg, &0., ROBBBT AIXAN.