RECIPROCITY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3707, 1 September 1906, Page 2

RECIPROCITY.

The reciprocity treaty between New Zealand and Australia, particulars of which appear on our fourth page, will be read with interest. This was the last work accomplished by the late Premier. The scheme, in the opinion of some people, contains defects which outweigh its advantages, and it is certain to come in for severe criticism before finality is given to the proposals. Potatoes and sugar will prove two of the 1 principal grounds upon which criticism will centre. We import nearly the whole of our sugar from Fiji, and the reduction of the impost on the Australian article and its maintenance on the Fijian will mean that all our sugar will come from Australia and there will be a considerable loss of revenue by the change. However, if we desire a “ free breakfast table,” we must be prepared to make a sacrifice. The most important reduction proposed is that upon

sugar, which at present enters against a duty qf %d per lb. It is now proposed to permit the free introduction of the Australian product. Dried fruits have also been placed upon our free list, and the 6s per gallon daty on wine has been reduced to is in favour of the Australian product, while the preference on butter amounts to the difference between 4d per pound and 20 per cent. The total estimated relief, as set out in the figures given by the Premier, amounts to the principal items being : Wine, ,£2197 ; apples, pears and grapes, ,£7OO ; flour, ; and eucalyptus, jCj73- Concessions given by Australia are the reductions from ?s to is 3d per cental on oats ; from 4d to 3d per pound on butter, cheese, bacon, and hams ; from is to 6d per pound on hops ; and the removal of the id per pound duty upon fresh fish, and of the impost of 2s per cwt on oysters. The placing of oysters and fresh fish on the free list, according to the Premier, may be estimated to mean a revenue loss of ,£4667 to Australia. The other losses involved to the Australian Customs total ,£659. We hope to see the treaty brought to a successful issue.