MR. FOX AND THE NEW TARIFF.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 814, 18 August 1870, Page 4

MR. FOX AND THE NEW TARIFF.

[Erora the Evening News, August 6.J The first note of disapprobation of our new tariff comes from Tasmania, and it comes in a form which Mr Fox will probably think very objectionable. Under the heading of " Practice and Profession," the Hobart Town Mercury of the 10th July says:—" While the Colonial Secretary of New Zealand was writing despatch after despatch to the Colonial Secretary of Tasmania.; expressing his approval of intercolonial free trade, the Colonial Secretary of New Zealand and his colleagues musV ha\e been contemplating, if they had not actually concocted, a new tariff I which is virtually a prohibition of all j fasmanian produce into New Zealand, the duties on fruit, timber, etc., being doubled from and after the 29th June." Now, on the former part of the quota tion, the questions very naturally present themselves. Is it true ? And if true, what explanation has Mr Fox to offer ? Will he say, as he said in reference to borrowing for war purposes, that " he is not ashamed to confess I*l3 conversion?" If so will he be good enough to state at what precise date his conversion took place ? Nothing short of this we think will convince the Tasmanhms that he was not playing a double with then Colonial Secretary. And even in that case proofs must he afforded of his conversion having been effected sub sequent to the date of his last despatch to the Colonial Secretary of Tasmania on intercolonial free trade. In reference to the latter part of the above quotation, it is not needful to say ■ more, perhaps, than that the Governjruent of New Zealand must have contemplated in their new tariff, what is there alleged to be its effect, " the virtual prohibition of Tasmanian produce into New Zealand." On the oats brought by the Bella Mary on her present trip, there was a duty of 4d per bushel, —just what the importers calculated upon as their profit, and quite enough to deter them from any similar venture. ** A duty of 8* per 100 on posts worth i'Os to 255," !5 a further proof of its prohibitory character. We are playing the same game that America has been playing, —so much to the loss of her trade, aid like her we shall have to retrace our steps, if our trade is not to be lost.