THE KAIKOURA STAR. KAIKOURA, DEC. 28, 1894. Free Trade v. Protection.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XIV, Issue 803, 28 December 1894, Page 4

THE KAIKOURA STAR. KAIKOURA, DEC. 28, 1894. Free Trade v. Protection.

Advocaths of Protection are, again, apparently entering upon a semi-crusade in favour of their views. This is being done under cover of a thread - bare banner bearing the device, ‘ Foster Local Industries.’ The battle cry is a specious, but weak, one. Weak, at all events, when thoroughly examined ; unsound it has ever proved when applied in the form of taxation in favour of projects or an enterprise not self supporting through want of a demand for the service to be performed or the article to be manufactured. ‘ Readjustment of the tariff so that those goods upon which

labour is employed should have duty placed upon then and employment found for labour here ’ is one specimen of the argument advanced. Very pleasing to the ear, having a catching ring about it. Like some of the day, it satisfies for the hour but the ephemeral nature of it is soon discovered. The foisting of such upon the people as wholesome food should be strenuously resisted. Query ! Is the cry a .Ministerial pilot ballon ? The argument in favour of Protection is no new thing. Nor, of course, is the application of the principle. State aid to further industries is often sought, and, in some cases extended, but in such the results are invariably unsatisfactory to the community. Anything requiring State assistance may flourish while the aid is given, but directly the prop is withdrawn the industry generally languishes and ere long succumbs, because, forsooth, it is of an exotic order. Industrial hothouse plants are never robust, and quickly wither when exposed even to the normal condition of the commercial atmosphere without the walls of the forcing chamber. Healthy and vigorous growth is not produced by artificial means. The example of one Colony across the Tasman Sea should be sufficient for the people of New Zealand.