The Stratford Evening Post. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1913. THE AMERICAN TARIFF.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 77, 8 April 1913, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post. WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. TUESDAY, APRIL 8, 1913. THE AMERICAN TARIFF.

As was freely anticipated the Ways and Means Committee of the United States House of Representatives, with the full support of the President, has decided to place raw wool on the free list in the American tariff. Should this decision be endorsed by Congress and Senate, as it is reasonable to suppose it will. New Zealand and Australia should benefit considerably, because the demand for wool from these countries will greatly increase with the removal of the present heavy duty. Visitors to the United States are often surprised at the extremely high prices asked for woollen garments or articles containing wool, and it is obvious that under these circumstances a large section of the general community will find these prices restrictive. There has been much controversy in the United States for some time past regarding the high cost of living, and “Schedule K,” which deals with wool and its products, has .been the centre of attack. By putting a high price on the raw commodity it set a great hurdle against enterprise proposing to operate new woollen mills, and by the excessive rates on manufactured articles it effectually shuts out foreign competition. The existing woollen manufacturers, few in number in America as they are therefore have had a great monopoly, and they have not failed to benefit by it to the fullest extent. Only the fairly affluent could afford to purchase woollen wear as wo know it in New Zealand, and the poorer people have been compelled to make shift with cotton goods or at best flannel tte. In the last Congress the Democrats made a strong fight against the President for reduced wool duties. Mr Taft vetoed the Bill, on the ground that to lower the duties would be to injure local industry and deprive the people of employment; but the House passed the Bill again over his veto under the constitutional provision that although the President objects to a Bill, it shall become law if two-thirds of each House shall pass it. The Democrats were able to command a two-thirds majority on this question in the House, but not in the Senate, and in some quarters it is still stated that it is the Senate again which is likely to be the stumbling block with the new President’s proposals. Mr Wilson will have the people with him in his proposals, for naturally they will be glad of a chance to secure woollen goods on something approaching reasonable terms