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Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 121, 18 May 1880, Page 3

A few days ago we pointed out tho probability of stump orators and others proposing adhesion to such a protective tariff as will encourage local industries, for the purpose of Obtaining popular support for themselves. We have not had long to wait for the realisation of our anticipations, for we find by a Wanganui paper just come to hand, that Mr Ballance, a prominent member of the Grey Ministry, has expressed himself in favor of moderate protection. It is the duty of the Press to warn the public against these sudden conversions, although we do not class Mr Ballance either as a stump orator or a low demagogue. Before entering .on Mr Ballnuce’s views on protection it would be well to glance at the state of parties and politics when this question was raised almost simultaneously through the lepgth and breadth of the Colony. For two sessions nothing was done in the House of Representatives except squabbling for place and power. Such abstract ideas as triennial Parliaments, electoral laws, and re-distribution of seats got plenty of attention but these subjects have very little to do with the prosperity of the people ; and to further complicate matters, neither party had a policy or real leader. The Preas lamented this state of things, and suddenly, as if by inspiration, the question of protection was brought .prominently forward. Its advocates having inserted the thin end of the wedge seemed determined to so drive it home, that the young people of New- Zealand, like those of America, will not need to resort almost exclusively to manual labor iu order to earn a livelihood. It will be found that a majority of the people and especially fathers of families, have resolved to resist free-trade in everything that can be manufactured either from imported, or native raw material. Here, then,- can be no ground for compromise, no place for the thin end of the wedge only. It is a vital principle on which the prosperity of the Colony depends, and although the time was too limited at tho last election ro show tho people how much the interests of thoir children’s future depend on encouragement to local industries, there can be no doubt that every voter will understand the gravity of the situation before the next general election. We quote the following from Mr Rallance’s speech to the electors of Wangauui to show what little dependence can be placed on tho rcaaouing of a sudden

convert from free-trade to protection “ During the last session the grer.t question of protection versus freetrade was' raised, and I may tell you that it was the. earnest desire of a large number in the House to introduce the thin end of protection. They were quite prepared to go any length in some things, which I approve of. One mode of protection I thoroughly agree with,, viz., that the raw material used by our manufacturers, that can he made profitable to the Colony, should be free. Then again, it is absolutely necessary to the Colony that we should protect ourselves from other countries. Take for instance Victoria. Victorian farmers cannot raise oats to compete with this Colony, and in consequence are clamouring for a duty to he put on New Zealand produce. I say in that case it would not he reasonable that we should stand, idly by and not express in acts our intention of protecting ourselves by levying in return a duty on Victorian produce. Notwithstandidg what I have said I still hold that trade should he as free as possible between the Colonies. (Hear, hear.)” In the above extract one of two things is apparent: either the speaker does not know what protection is, or he takes care to hide his knowledge from the audience. All countries admit the raw material which it can manufacture, free ; provided it cannot produce this same material in sufficient quantity itself. But protective countries tax everything that compete with their own industries or productions. In other words they so direct taxation and legislation as to keep their people employed to the best advantage. Neither is protection per se retaliation. We cannot blame any other Colony for encouraging her own farmers. Can a father of a family he blamed for having his daughters taught dressmaking or any other suitable business, provided their time is not otherwise profitably employed ? Yet, this is protection. If the inhabitants of a country are all profitably employed, and by their labor are taking a first place in the rank of nations, they no more want protection than the girls of a family require to make their own dresses, if they are earning money otherwise in a higher class of labor, or have independent moans. The native born American can seldom be found at menial labor, or domestic service; local industries, established by .protection, place him beyond such necessity ; or in other words he takes a step in rank above the European emigrant, who is in other respects hereditarily, his equal. It is a matter of much gratification to the residents of the Wairau that their member Mr Seymour, before this question was as much ventilated as it is now, and a time when it was almost certain he would lose somevotes by it, declared himself in favor of home manufactures. As this will be a test question at the next election, the working classes, in the interest of their children, as well as of themselves, are to be congratulated on the fact that they will not be called upon to support a candidate who pretends to be suddenly converted to protection in order to catch votes.