HAWKE'S BAY TIMES. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1871.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1087, 5 August 1871, Page 2

HAWKE'S BAY TIMES. Nullius addictus jurare in verba magistri. SATURDAY, AUGUST 5, 1871.

As the session of the General Assembly approaches it becomes necessary to warn the public of an implied intention pf the Ministry to introduce for the third time a measure imposing a tax on the importation of breadstuff's. It is well known that it was a portion of Mr Vogel's financial scheme last year, and though Ministers were compelled to throw it up for the sake of carrying the remainder, it w as understood that it would be re-introduced next session. The proposed tax is intended as a bonus to the constituencies of the agripultural districts of the Southern Island, wherewith to purchase the support pf the representatives of those districts to the policy of the Government. It is argued at the same time that it will be a source of revenue, as, while it will raise the price of all kinds pf pereals, meal, and flour, it will not prevent the importation of large quantities from abroad. It has, however, been abundantly proved that the tax has not, and pannot, have the effect so far as either of the ends contemplated by its promoters are concerned. It reacts unfavorably against the interests of the agriculturists, and checks importation,

It at the same raises the price tp the .consumer by about double the amount of the rate of duty imposed, because all concerned in the direct payment of the tax, as well as wholesale and retail dealers, must have their profits on capital used, while not a tithe of the sums exacted from the consumer finds its way into the exchequer. It is thus the most extravagantly costly of all kinds of taxation—producing the maximum of oppression and the minimum of funds. So much is this the case that it has already been discarded by most civilised Governments, and is rapidly losing ground with the rest. The agitation in favor of this tax last year pi*oduced a result little contemplated by its promoters —a similar agitation in Auckland in favor of protection for local industries; but it has since transpired that few of the promoters believed in the doctrines chey taught. They adopted the principle as the best counter-move to that of the South, knowing that the Southern politician would not submit to a scheme involving taxation on manufactures, which must inevitably follow if their pet measure were passed. Auckland knew that the burden of the tax on grain and flour would fall on it, and in justice claimed protection for what it might or cpuld produce. There is no doubt that a like result will follow fiom a renewal of the proposal, and that if one part of the scheme be adopted the vent must follow until the evil works its own cure by imposing burdens upon the consumer totally beyond his power of endurance. We trust, however, that the good sense of our legislators will pie vail, and that the first attempt at the introduction of a Protective policy will meet with such an uncompromising resistance as will put an end to all such foolish agitation. But to produce this result it h necessary that the public give full and plain expression to its opinion on the matter; or otherwise we may find before we are aware that we are saddled with this most obnoxious tax.