THE POSITION OF PROTECTED INDUSTRIES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 336, 23 January 1889, Page 3

THE POSITION OF PROTECTED INDUSTRIES.

An Australian contemporary makes the following suggestive remarks, which manufacturers who clamour for protection would do well to think over: — u Protection or Freetrade, or both, must be based on a fallacy ; but both in able hands can bring forward a convincing appeal to self-interest. It is worth the while of unprotected manufacturers who clamour for protection to take one thing into consideration. The policy of any colony, whether protectionist or freetrade, is supported by the vote of the working classes. A wave of conviction, passing or permanent as the case may be, ] could reverse that policy at one general election. Each side thinks such a wave of conviction opposed to its views to be beyond the range of imagination. But Cobden's history proves that a wave of Ireetrade feeling may sweep away protection, and the converse is surely true. And when a manufacturer has established his business under one policy, what will his position be when that policy is reversed? The once-pro-tected manufacturer will find the very foundation of his enterprise swepb away ; the lately unprotected business is now increased in worth. The whole value of the investments in protected manufactures rests on the breath of the working man or loafer."