The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 1866.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 25, 3 April 1866, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. TUESDAY, APRIL 3, 1866.

I The Dunedin Chamber of Commerce some time since appointed a sub-committee to consider the question of the tariff at present collected at the New Zealand ports, and to suggest some better arrangement. That subcommittee has since concluded its labors and have brought 'up a report, recommending some reduction in the duties levied upon certaiu articles, and also recommending that other descriptions of goods which are at present admitted free, be in future added to the dutiable list. We do not at present purpose to say anythiug respecting the nature of those recommendations, but to suggest that the merchants of Nelson should follow the example j that has been set them by their Dunedin brethren, by meeting and discussing the question of the tariff in all its bearings, and then embodying their resolutions in a memorial to the Government. The subject is one of great importance to the whole community, and no body of people are so thoroughly conversant with it in all its bearings as those who are engaged in mercantile pursuits. Unfortunately that body is but ill represented in the New Zealand Parliament ; not being, perhaps, ambitious cf Parliamentary honors, independent of which, they cannot afford to absent themselves far any considerable time j from their own establishments. This absence of those engaged in trade from the Colonial Parliament, has been a most unfortunate circumstance, as It has prevented their experience in the workings of fiscal measures from being of its full value to the country. The present tariff is universally acknowledged to be one of the most clumsy and unecmal fiscal measures that ever became law in any country ; and it will doubtless be thoroughly revised during the ensuing session. The Government would doubtless gladly avail themselves of the experience of the mercantile community in tin's important work ; and any memorial coming from that body will have great influence. We therefore trust, that the merchants of every port in New Zealand will follow in the footsteps of their brethren of Dunedin ; since by so doing they will confer a great benefit upon, their fellow-citizens.