A MODEST REQUEST.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 192, 23 August 1900, Page 2

A MODEST REQUEST.

' TO THIt EDITOR. ! Sin, —Over the above he id-line you publish in to-day's issue a telegram from Auckland, stilting that a number / of Auckland merchants had asked the - Premier to adhere to the old tariff ' until January next. O.n you punt , out the unreasonableness of the ie--1 quest? lam aware that in all ques- ■ tions relating to a change in tariff the '■ proposal takes effect immediately it is submitted to the House, but when the . revenue is not likely to suffer by a ■ postponement of the adoption of those ' proposals, why, if a change is to be effected, should not the merchant and the storekeeper be pro'ected from serious loss ? What does the adoption of the present tariff mem? It provides for cheaper living and so benefits all. if equitably carried out, but when such sweeping reductions take place, and largo stocks are held, upon which, at the best of times, only a very email profit is made, the heavy taxpayer (in this instance the merchant) is made to snffei" sev. rely, Surely, in all fairness, some consideration should be shown to these men. Is it not equally just to all, that the proposals for a universal 'penny postage should immediately take eil'nt t ? Yet we find that time is given to lc-organiso and re-arrange this lira! ch bef -re the public are benefitted, and eq mlly so should timy be given to allow iuisiiiess men an opportunity of reducing tioir stocks and thus protect themselves from loss,—l am etc, 1 J.