Rangitikei Advocate. FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 1907. EDITORIAL NOTES

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8896, 16 August 1907, Page 2

Rangitikei Advocate. FRIDAY, AUGUST 16, 1907. EDITORIAL NOTES

THE Oommissiouer of Ousroniß Ims informed the Dunedin Painter:.-’ Employers’ ,Uuion that the reason for placing 25 pe" '-eur duty <•” painters’ brush-sre-iV is dee to fin fact that Tiie brush ware ir, quest;' 1 :' i:-, he: ns manufactured wirhm hv colony. Thh, is eppereedy considered to be sufficient, ugly to a protest sgaiust the prA • of p-uutc-r.-’ brushes being increased by cmfourth. Yet there are, according to tho census, only 150 persons in the colony who are employed in brushmaking. AudJJthis includes brushvraro of all kinds, -while probably not more than a dozen are making painters’ brushes. But for" tho benefit of those tho 2772 painters have to contribute 5s out of every £1 they spend on the brushes they require. And, of course, it is “passed on” to tho public, who are thus made to maintain a few people doing useless and expensive work. But, if it is admitted that it is desirable to shutdout imports so as to compel people to buy locally made articles at dearer prices, why should not all who are making or producing be treated alike? And in such case have uot tho loading industries, in which most are employed, th greater claim? For instance, why should not a 25 per cent import duty be placed on butter and cheese, meat, and all products of the farm? It is true that none of those are imported now, hut if tho farmer advanced his prices they would be, and as the farmer has to pay more for the articles made by tho factory hands, why should he uot also ho “protected?” If wo arc to have protection, lot it he complete and thorough, without favour to auy class. If the brushmakor is to get 25 per cent more for his goods, lot the farmer also get 25 per cent more for his produce, if the injurious policy of protection is to be maintained.