THE FEDERAL TARIFF.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 23, 19 October 1901, Page 2

THE FEDERAL TARIFF.

I FIR PBBIB ABSOOIATUW. Sydnit, October 18. , Mr. G. S. Jakin, of Ohristchurch, interviewed on tbe Federal Tariff, mid New Zealand most come into federation or lose small farmers. The South African market was of no us« to New Zealand except in the time of war. Viotoria could send produce by direct line, while New Zealand had to oharter steamer*, and filling up large steamer* glutted the markets, They wanted feed. New Zealand's only other oo*let was the English market where prices, were far below those in Australia, Mußoußin, October 18. The price of New Zealand batter boxes has advanced twopence, end tbe > censure debite so far ha* been a wordy duel between the New South Wales freetraders and the Victorian proteotionisw, the debate being remarkable) mostly for lengthy speeches. Sir George T>irner, in replying to tba criticisms, said Ministers would stand by tbe main principles of tbe tariff, baft were quite willtog to suggested amendments, if a scheme could be pot forward to prevent the formation of a manufacturers' ring and ba embodied] in the Bill. It is rumoured in the lobbies that an amendment in favour of direct tixation will b«i moved by Mr Reid. Wasoanbi, October 18. At a meeting of tbe Chamber of Commerce to-day th* following resolution waa oatried :—That this Chamber, while tbaDkiDg thi Premier for bie telegram, looks upon tbe dealing wi(h tho Australian tiriff question as a nutter of State pol ; cy, about whioh k has not sufficient information to express a deoidtd opinion, exoept that is does not thick a policy of retaliation would be'jud«ious. WELLisaToa, Ocrob. r 18. The council of tbe Chamber of Commerce to-day passed the following resolutions: That if the proposed duties be confirmed there willnndoubtedly be a temporary dislocation of the trade in produce between this colony and Australia, but whether the imposition of such duties will permanently'injure the producer, of New Zealand the council is at present unable to express a definite opinion; that the council deprecates the adoption of apolicy of retaliation in reference to the Federal tariff, whether by meat* of Customs duties or in any other way j further, that with a view to expaadinfi the produce trade of this colony every encouragement should be give* by the. Government to traders and others to. open new markets. The question ot advocating reciprocal arrangement* was considered, but it was thought, that it would be unwise ajt this, juncture to persevere with such s» suggestion. DBCUvION BV NEW PUtMOUItt. CHAMBKR OF CO&MKIUtf.. At the Cumber of Commerce meeting last night tue Federal tar ffi e*ue» up for discussion. Tue Chairman read lbs* ulegnHt*

from the Premier re the Federal tariff, which has already been published. He referred to the table of New Z\->ki:d exports and imports, with the duties thereon, as published in the News on Thursday. The imports of timber, 6tc., we could not do without, and reprisals would be inadvisable. Mr Clarke asked if coal was not brought back from Australia as ballast ? —The Chairman said it was not used quite as ballast only; a eood deal of the coal was required in New Zealand. He thought it was the duty of New Zealandars to endeavour to promote trade re'ations between the two countries. Ha moved the following resolution: "That, although this Chamber sincerely deprecates the action of the Federal Parliament of the Australian | Commonwealth in endeavouring to close the door to many of the products of this colony by the imposition of a prohibitory tariff, yet it is inadvisable that reprisals in the shape of a tariff war should be instituted, as the hulk of our imports, vis., coal, hardwood, and fruit, provide return freiehts for vessels employed in the intercolonial trade, whereby our products are conveyed to the Australian markers at minimum rates. We would, however. Buggfgt that negotiations be entered into by the respective Governments to establish reciprocal treaties, whereby the natural produces of each colony could enter the other free rf duty " Mr Dockrill seconded. He thought the resolution was sufficient to cover the case. The consumers in Australia would have to pay any extra post on products imported from New Zealand. Mr Conn ett supported thereso'ution, but he thovght the tarifi would effect New Zea'and to some extent, as for instance in bacon and bams. The imposition of 3d per lb on these would practically close the Australian market to us. Butter might be affected, but only slightly. Any retaliation would be suicidal. £Hne peop'e said it showed we should have joined the Federation, but be did not agree with th ; s. Mr Cbong sugijes'ed that an export duty should be placed on white pine, which Australians required. Mr Kins thought that reprisals should not be attempted. We should simply s'and off. If we droppdout of the Australian trade through the tariff, the Australian producers would ; have the local trade, and would not he filling the African requirements as they had of late. We should then get that market. As for butter, the Australian trade was not of much value, to us—the London market was the one we wanted. He moved that the last paragraph of the motion should be deleted. Mr Govett said the Federal tariff ' was undoubtedly a highly protective one; but the object of New Zealand should be to encourage tradp. Ropri sals, once <y»rameoc*d, woold be diffi- ' cult, to end. Everything should be done to encourage trade. Mr Alexander thought we should back up districts requiring an export : dutv placed on white pine. Mr King pointed out that the Auckland Chamber had not made any reference to the matter. Mr FrassT, referring to the white pine trade in the North, said soma 15 ; nills were engaged, and if* the Australian trade was closed they would have no outlet. We, or some of us, at any rate, had dreams of one day pis- i ■easing a port accommodating oceangoing vessels, which would mean that . we would command the intercolonial trade, and the mail service; as we ought to do by reason of our geographical position. We should not endanger this possibility by any hostile move against Australia, He was certain we should have gone into the tionCries of « No, No!" Mr Fraser: I say we should, and if we had had another Government we would have done so. He went on to point out that our Australian trade last year was £1,000,000. If we lost that the effect would be felt all over the colony. Mr Dockrill contended that the Federal tariff was the outcome of the Commonwealth's need for revenue. Mr Hughe* thought there was noj doubt the tariff was simply a means of securing protection for Australian trade. Mr Penn pointed out that Now Zealand impowd duties on imports, and bad no right to complain. We should go our own way, and open our markets to all. Mr Wf ston thought tint in the long run things would find their level, and Australians would lower *hair barriers. He agreed with Mr King that w should Rtard on onr own footing, and seconded his ame"dm<>nt. Mr Connect paid tint in thinking matters over he was inclined to agree, with Mr King. M r G-orge mncuTel, and that if any evidence wer* wanted "hv we should not hare enured the Federation th« Federal tariff supplied it Mr Fr»Ber pointed ou* l t v at we twenty things to Australia for one wo got. He quoted figures in support of his argument. Mr King replied tint Austral'ans knew wfll enough what we*e doing, arid knew our products and how the marke's would be affected. The smerdment c "rri d, ard the amarded rrsolu'ion carried nuanimously, ■