THE NEW TARIFF.

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

THE NEW TARIFF.

"Ifc is intended to propose to alter the tariff, not because additional revenue is required, but berause measurement duties are very unfair iv their operations." So said Mr Vogfil ia delivering his Financial Statement on Tuesday lust, and he then went on to propose the imposition of duties that would, at a moderate calculation, raise (he Customs' revenue by soinet.l ing like 75 ppr cent., or in other words pause it to make a leap in on<* year from £850,000 to a sum approaching £1,500,000, that U io say if the peoplo were not completely ruined under tho operation. And yet he tells us thut } should ibo alteration recently effected remain in force, the estimated increase of the revenue during the year is only £48,000, the amount which inijjht be expected Irom natural increase. How Mr Vugel, who is not. usually to be caught napping, could have Mien into bo grave an error, we are totally unable to conceive. That he is wroug, will be clearly shown by the following memorandum thab has been supplied to us by Mr Fisher, comparing the old and new tariff on a recent invoice of goods :—

The difference in the total amount of duties on tho above is £97 4s 4d, being an increase of considerably over 125 per cent. Mr Lightband has also furnished a memorandum showiug tho operation of tho new tariff on tho class of goods imported by himself in the boot and shoe trade, being a fair selection from invoices and entries passed during the month of July. Under the old tariff the duties to be collected would have amounted to £28 19s Id, under the new £105 3a 9J. This ia a pretty fair result, of a measure that is not introduced for the purpose of raising additional reveuue. However, we cunuot suppose that the now tariff will bo adhered to in the face of the violent opposition that is aud will be offered to it throughout the colony. A meeting of merchants and others was held at the Masonic Hotei thiß morning for the purpose of protesting against it. A report of their proceedings will be found elsewhere.

Duty under oV tariff. Under new. £ a. d £ s. (1. 1 case kid gloves ... 0 14 7 13 10 9 1 case silks 0 19 2 28 14 3 1 case ladies' underclothing 3 19 7 8 16 10 1 case hollands ... ... 2 15 0 5 16 6 1 case winceys 5 18 7 18 II 1 c-.se paper collars ... 4 5 0 219 l 1 case ladies' jackets ... 2 11 3 6 2 1 1 bale flannel 4 10 0 7 2 8 1 case alpacas ... ... 4 11 <> 9 16 6 1 case French merinoes... 3 19 2 12 3 6 1 cave haberdashery ... 417 11 17 110 1 case Horrocks' long cloth 2 19 2 5 10 6 1 case Clark's reel cotton 3 7 11 7 0 8 10 hales corn sacks ... 16 5 6 16 5 4 1 bale flour hags ... 1 15 0 4 4 6 1 case mole trousers ... 3 2 1 4 511 lease tweeds 2 17 1 7 11 9 1 bale grey calico ... 5 15 10 6 10 2 The new duties are calculated with 10 per cent. added to English invoice cost.