KAIAPOI FARMERS' CLUB.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2391, 1 December 1881, Page 4

KAIAPOI FARMERS' CLUB.

At the last meeting of the above, Mr R. Coup, chairman of the club, road a paper on “ Protection v Free Trade.” After a few preliminary remarks, ho stated that the question was one which bad never been quite solved iu any country, but it was a most important one to discuss, especially on the eve of an election, and a number of persons wore anxious to hear opinions on the subject—as there wore very vague ideas generally how protection affected tho community. Tho prevailing idea was that tho duties imposed by protection tariffs went into the Government chest and therefore taxation was lightened, which was an utter fallacy. He would at once announce himself a freetrader, and as a farmer would take a farmer’s view of the question. It would be admitted that tho farming interest was the mainstay of the colony, but the farmer’s position, compared with abme of his more favored neighbors who ware stretching themselves on tho bed of protection, was not commensurate with its importance. Looking over the Customs tariff, he found that the manufacturers of apparel and ready-made clothing, carriages, drays, and so forth were protected with nn import duty of 15 per cant., and the boot and shoe makers with la per pair, Tho 3.5 per cant, was, however, more than that, as it was an .id valorem duty, which meant tho addition to each, invoice of £IOO of £lO, and the duty collected on this sum of £llO. In fact, an invoice of goods valued at £IOO in England would be valued at £llO here. So far as ho understood the matter of protootection, the only persons deriving any benefit from it were the manufacturers. The employes did not even benefit by it, only oo far, perhaps, as they might obtain more regular employment, but on tho other hand, the wages they earned did not go as far in a protected as they would in a free trade country, as they had to pay so much extra for their requirements by tho amount of duty, which increased the price of them. Ear mere and other classes of the community were in the same boat, consequently he maintained that tho manufacturer under a protected system could afford to dance, ■while tho farmer, and all others who had to buy his wares for daily use, had to pay tho piper. [Hear, hear.J Anyone with an unbiased mind must admit that this state of things was unfair to tho farmer, because it acted prejudicially in checking importation and tho shipping business, consequently high freights had to be paid for grain and wool and produce which they wished to send to G real Britain —the main outlet for Now Zealand produce. He could not agree with the Protectionists, who ouy, “ We must create a manufacturing population to consume tho produce,” us tho present farming generaliou would starve while the manufacturer was creating a sufficient manufacturing population to consume the said produce. If this was a free trade country there would be an influx of imports and shipping which would lower freights and induce the extended cultivation of the land. The farmer could employ more labor, and competition meant cheapness. The protectionist assorts ” ho keeps tho money in the place,” but what of that if greater facilities were given for sending produce away and they obtained cash m return. It was quite immaterial whether tho cash which was here was kept here or whether it came in from another source, so long as it was obtained honestly, and not netted by one class to the detriment of the producers. Another danger to be averted was the possibility of Great Britain imposing a duty on wheat, which the colonies were bound to send to her—a duty of which kind would fall on the producers, or seriously affect their trade. Mr Ooup here read extracts from the “ Mark Lane Express,” indicating that the question of an import duty on wheat of 5s per quarter was being now seriously discussed in England. He wont on to say that he was amused at one of tho political aspirants in the present election, who urged the good thing of having a duty on bacon to stop importation, as there was no necessity for any such stop, unless it was to put money into tho bacon curers’ pockets. Another protectionist aspirant had told them that the late Mr Meohi had told him that the English farmer did not want protection, because it cost the outsider about 2s 6d per bushel to send wheat to England, and that was aufllcieat protection for them. Contrast this, then, with this protectionist's factory, which received State aid to tho tune of 15 per cent. His conclusion was that protection was one-sided, and any factory clamoring to a paternal Government was like a spoilt son who had been started by his father in business, but was not competent to fight hio way amongst his fellows without constantly falling back on the parent or his family for pecuniary assistance. The reports relative to the way in which Messrs Joubert and Twopeny’s exhibition proposal had been received confirmed his opinion that there were men in the colony who wore afraid to have competition against themselves and the shopkeepers. Referring to the Colonial Industries’ report, he found that the brushmaker was asking protection to the extent of 20 per cent., the drain pips maker 15, the veterinary surgeon 75 to 100 per cent., a firm of bootmakers 25 per cent., and one woollen manufacturer was quite "convinced that the goods could □at be turned out with profit to the shareholders unless more duty was put on the imported article,” the existing duty being 15 per cent. Mr Coup here road Mr Bright’s letter on the freedom of labor and free trade. Before concluding he might say that he would not bo in favor of protecting the farmer, and with regard to manufactures which could with prudencs be established, the Government might aid them with a bonus or the interest on capital invested for a few years. The New Zealand Pottery and Glass Company, who received £250 as a bonus, had found it enough. He was decidedly opposed to a high duty being put on for an indefinite period. Besides, the working man, who probably might only earn an average wage of 30s a week all the year round, was called on by these protection duties to pay more than he could fairly bear. If the system of protection was continued, it was plainly to be seen that the industries started under them would claim to have vested interests, for a sudden removal of an artificial assistance to industrial companies dependant on it must mean a sudden collapse of the industries which were at present being petted and pampered by the State. He was in favor of developing the country as well as manufactures, on a sound basis, and encouraging the shipping. If they could send away shiploads of wheat like that which went tho other day to Ca11a0—13,277 sacks, at 4s 6d per bushel, worth nearly £12,000 —they would have plenty of vessels, without requiring to give them subsidies, and potatoes and meat might be easily sent to England. Let capital and labor find its proper level, and the wages of the workman have its full buying power, and let them not delude the English capitalist, who had money invested here, to believe he has £llO to £l2O worth of security, when he has only £IOO worth. Let them value free trade as John Bull did bis free institutions; but if protection must be the order of the day let there be a reciprocal fooling between New Zealand and England, and by all moans work to assist the country which imposed no protective burdens on its people. [Cheers] A warm discussion ensued, in which Messrs Isaac Wilson, J. Guild, J. H. Lee, W. E. Pearson end others joined. An extract having boon read from a speech made by Mr Bateman at The Hook, respecting protection and tho falsa position in which electors placed themselves by returning men who wore counseled with euoh companies as the Kaiapoi Factory, Mr Wilson said ho could afford to smile at such allusions made h.T a person who was so well known in Aus tralia, as well as in Canterbury, although ho did their factory a service by cheaply advertising it. He maintained that there was no such thing as protection hero, and tho duties wore merely for revenue purposes. Without tho duties it would be impossible to meet the interest on the loans. Respecting a duty on grain, were such a duty imposed on grain taksa into England, he contended that its effect would be so slight that it would not bo felt.

On the motion of Mr J. H. Lee, seconded by Mr Guild, a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Ooup for his interesting paper. Mr Ooup briefly replied, regretting that his arguments had brought up no weighty reasons from the other side in favor of projection being retained. Mr B. Ahernr, interim secretary Eangiora Linseed Oil and Fibre Company, then read a lengthy paper on the culture of linseed, the manufacture of the oil and oil cake, and utilisation of the straw for cordage manufacture. Ho explained the manner of cultivation and harvesting, and stated that there would be a demand for linseed products both at home and for export, so that the success of the company was tolerably certain. Having presented a lot of interesting statistics, Mr Johustor, chairman of directors of the com-

pany, Mr Andrew, and other gentlemen present, gave information of their experience of its growth as a crop. In reply to a question it was stated that 2000 acres of linseed would supply the factory proposed to bo started. On tho rvotion of Mr Isaac Wilson, an unanimous vote of thanks was passed to Messrs Johnston and Aherne for tho information given, and an assurance given that shares would be applied for. Messrs Coup, Pushby, Kidd and J. Wilson wore appointed a committee to consider tho question of changing tho day of meeting. The club then ad journed.