The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the Coast Coast Times. TUESDAY, JULY 20, 1926.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 July 1926, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the Coast Coast Times. TUESDAY, JULY 20, 1926.

TARIFF REVIEW. A revision of the customs tariff is promised for next year by the Minister of Finance. Mr Dovnie Stewart iias taken up the portfolio so recently that he could hardly attempt the task earlier. If it is to he done comprehensively, it is a task of considerable magnitude, and all phases of the subject niust he weighed carefully. The newly appointed Minister is credited with being the best Minister for the task he is taking up. It is pointed out that whatever lie may be lacking in practical experience, lie is at least a sound theoretical economist. The country would have preferred some one with both qualifications, but in a composite Ministry selected on. party principles, it is not possible to provide the perfect man for the set job. Mr Stewart, however, has been identified with the commercial and indutrisal department of the Administration, and he will have an inside knowledge of local industries, and will lie rather familiar with those in need of protection through the' Customs. With the debt of this country such as it is, tliosp who favour free trade must withhold their opinions for the time being. The war and its aftermath has led New Zealand into a morass of debt, and one of the chief aids to meet financial responsibilities is through income derived from customs receipts. The revision of a tariff calls for much serious consideration as to possible effects, and in particular high tariffs are to be deplored as adding too seriously to the cost of living. The encouragement of industry probably comes second ill the mind of the Minister, the first consideration being national revenue. The third consideration will he the relation to the cost of production under protection. AVhere protection is necessary there is always the chance of creating more competition. In Australia in particular, that has resulted, hut nothing disastrous has followed. Improved methods have resulted following ifie extra competition and better articles have been turned out. This has happened in regard to confectionery, and there is likely to he some competition in that industry in New Zealand. But the Australian firms have met outside competition very satisfactorily, and no doubt similar firms so well established in New Zealand will do likewise.- Intensive competition results in a trade improvement which is often a benefit all round. The increased efficiency is of value to the public both directly and indirectly, -and the secondary industries of the country will have their real chance under a reasonale tariff revision.

Sin 'Charles Fekgusson, GovernorGeneral of New Zealand, at the New Zealand Club luncheon last week, placed Western Samoa in its proper perspective in the world. Western Samoa is not part of the British Empire. It is a country administered by a unit of the Empire under a mandate of the League of Notions, with responsibility of the British unit to the League. The mandatory is the first fruit of the new international departure which is the League of. Nations. The essence of the mandatory system is the government of races backward in civilisation by races forward in civilisation, exclusively for the lienefit of the backward races. Under the system the exploitation of these backward races is a tiling of the past. Inspecting, as the constitutional head of the New Zealand mandatory, Sir Chares Fergusson found the mandatory system working according to the high expectations of its foundation. Tfie result so far he declared to lie eminently satisfactory—to the mandatory Dominion, to the mandated race, and to humanity in general. The Samoans, says the Wellington Times, are content with the arrangements made for their improvement in the seats of civlisation. Their self-reliant spirit is encouraged by an administration which looks solely to their advantage, and, understanding their requirements and their personality, recognising their traditions, guides their effort to apply their own system of selfgovernment. It was a. fine system, weakened by disunion and ignorance. Tt is'now an. ideal system, strengthened by national unity and a knowledge fortified by yearly'results, and enlightened by a well-organised, comprehensive, growing system of education. This result is the object of the muclidiscussed problem of the “White Wonts Burden.” Under the mandatory system the solution of that problem is not hampered by the foreign exploitation of the native people or of their resources. In consequence the Samoan people arc content, and their future secure. Tho result, rare in past colonising history, will he the bright, commonplace of the history that is unfold-