THE POOR MAN’S FRIENDS.
(From the Evcniny Post, August 30.) A correspondent, versed in the trade, touches on the inequalities of the new tariff regulations in the matter of boots and shoes. Regarding these indispensable articles, we are informed that not only are the numbers of which indicate the sizes of boots and shoes altogether inadequate for the purpose of properly rating the charges, but the poorer classes of people have to pay for all the deficiencies or loss which must take place through the reduction of duty on the dearer kind of hoots. Under the old tariff the public paid for their luxurious taste. It they were light and fancy boots the duty was higher; if they were heavy hoots the duty was lower. Now this state of things is reversed. To prove what is stated, take a few examples extracted from genuine invoices. Thus, 72 pairs men’s elasticside boots of second quality would pay under the old tariff £3 ss. 4d.; under the new one, they pay £3 125., an initial difference of 6s. Bd. against the poorer consumer. Compare this with a similar number of gentlemen’s boots, best elastic-sides or balmorals, both of which are about the same rate. Under the old tariff 72 pairs of these higher class articles paid a duty of £5 7s. ; under the now rate? they pay only £3 12a., showing aa initial difference in favor of the wealthier consumer of £1 155., or fully 33 per cent, of a loss to the revenue. Take, again, men’s ordinary blacker boots, second quality, the working man’s wear, 72 pairs of these at the old rates paid £2 6s. fid.; under the new they will pay £3 125., or nearly 55 per cent, of an addition on the class of articles which, both as regards value and consumer, should be lowered instead of being raised. Women’s ordinary boots are placed in a similar position. 72 pairs of these under the old tariff paid for duty £1 10s. Bd.; under the new they pay £2 17s. fid., or very nearly 95 per cent, of an increase. On the other hand, ladies’ boots of the best quality are admitted at little more than half the old rates. Thus 72 pairs under the old tariff paid £-1 16s. fii of duty; under the new they pay £2 17s. fid., being a difference in favor of £1 195., or fnlly 40 per cent of a reduction in favor of the wealthier wearers. It is the sane with children’s boots, which are a very considerable item in the expenditure of large families. Thus 72 pairs ordinary girls’ boots, under the old rates, paid £1 2s. 9s. duty; under the new they pay £2 5a., almost exactly cent, per cent, of an addition. 72 pairs boys’ nailed and copper-toed formerly paid £1 fis., now they pay £1 16s. Then, children's lace boots, sizes 7 to 9, under the old tariff paid 17s. 9d.; under the new they pay £1 16s. of duty, or fully 100 per cent, of an increase. Children’s booU of better quality are, like .those of larger size, proportionately or disproportionately lowered ; and when the value of each respectively are considered, the disproportion becomes more and more marked. Our correspondent concludes by pointing out that there are other changes effected which it is difficult to understand. Woolpacks are admitted at about halt the old rates, and it is now proposed to take the duty off iron fencing wire, and posts and rails of wood, which are among the few things on which large landholders as such contribute to the revenue. No doubt, in some details ■where alteration is practicable, efforts will be made by the Colonial Treasurer to remove, as far as possible, these evident inequalities.
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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5439, 2 September 1878, Page 3
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629THE POOR MAN’S FRIENDS. New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5439, 2 September 1878, Page 3
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