PROTEST AGAINST THE NEW TARIFF.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VIII, Issue 184, 1 August 1873, Page 2

PROTEST AGAINST THE NEW TARIFF.

An influential meeting of merchants, tradesmen, and others was h-ld at the Maeooic Hotel this morning for the purpose of drawing up a memorial to the House of Representatives praying f'cr a repeal of the new Customs duties. There were present : — Messrs A. Slanders, Scaife, Shannon, Dod^on, Elliott, Fisher, Lighibund, Everett, Braithwatte, SaUer, Darby, Stavert, Mabin. Perceval, Buckeridge, Cunn, Stanton, Wymond, Blundell, and Healy.- — Mr. Nclanders was appointed chairman, and Mr Fisher, secretary. There was a very general expression of strong disapproval of the new tariff, and in the course of the discussion Mr. Shannon stated that, he had calculated the average duty on drapery under the measurement duties at ss. per foot and found it to be 6f per cent on the value, whereas the preseut rate was 12^ per cent. — It was decided to at once despatch the following telegram to the representatives of the Province now in Wellington :■ — '* A memorial is in course of signature protesting against the new tariff. Will be forwarded to you by first opportunity. Meantime, the people are anxious to know the course Nelson members purpose adopting." — A sub-com-mittee consisting of Messrs Sclandere, Buckeridge, Ziightband, and Fisber was appointed to draw up a petition, and make arrangements for obtaining signatures to it in both town and country. — Votes of thanks the to chairman and secrelary terminated the proceedings. The following is a copy of the petition : — To the Honorable the Members of the House of Representatives— We the undersigned merchants, tracers, and inhabitants of the Province of Nelson generally, beg respectfully to address your Honorable House on the tariff introduced by tho Hon. the Colonial Treasurer in his Financial Statement, and now in op* ration. We beg rpspe^tfully to say that we regard the present tariff with great dissatisfaction, as it will largely increase the duties on all goods in dai'y consumption, is calcula'erl to interfere with the trade and progress of the colouy, aud press unduly oni he working classes. We wou'd submit lhat the statement of the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer that " the new tariff is not more oppressive than the old, an 1 that it was not intended to alter the tariff because additi >nal revenue was denred," is not burne out by facts, since the alteration would increase the rate of duty in most cases 10 >, 200. and even 300 per cent, while the articles upon which a reduction is made are vt-ry trivial. Your petitioners would therefore humbly pray that your Ho-orable House will reject the new tariff at the earliest opportunity.