PROTECTION.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 90, 24 September 1873, Page 3

PROTECTION.

■“ Snyder ” in the New Zealand Herald thus satirizes thesyllogisms put forward by the Colonists Protection League in Auckland. The Leaguers ea y : — “Free trade prevents the establishment of manufacturing industries in New Zealand. (Does it? How about the two hundred and eightythree manufactures which were in full work in the ■colony when the last census was taken ?) No country can be prosperous without manufacturing industries. (Who says so ? Wasp t Arcadia the abode of bliss —when a steam engine or a spinning-jenny were unknown ? Who says so ?) Therefore, free trade prevents New Zealand from becoming prosperous. And again :— Manufactures are essential to the prosperity of New Zealand. (Why ?) Free trade prevents the establishment of manufactures in New Zealand. (Prove it.) Therefore New Zealand cannot become prosperous. (Prove that.”) “ You see, it strikes me the premises are not stated with that accuracy upon which it may be said the whole affair is constructed. Supposing I was to argue as follows :— 1. All vegetables grow. 2. Sheep grow. 3. Therefore sheep are vegetables. Let me try another t—--1. Nothing is heavier than gold.

2. Yes, feathers are heavier than nothing. 3. Therefore, feathers are heavier than gold. Once more :■ — 1. Theophilus said aU Cretans told fibs. 2. Theophilus was aCretan, therefore Theophilus told fibs. 3. Therefore, all Cretans did not tell fibs. 4. Therefore, Theophilus did not tell fibs. 5. Therefore, all Cretans did tell fibs. , Now I challenge the members of the Colonists Protection League to prove that their logic is a bit sounder than mine.”