THE FEDERAL TARIFF.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 273, 19 November 1901, Page 2

THE FEDERAL TARIFF.

The Suva correspondent of the Sydney Morning Herald, writing on October 22nd, on the efF ct of the Federal tariff in Fij : , says: By the Birksgato, which a<riv<?d on October ] 9th, < we received cipiea of the Federal tariff. The general opinion seems to be that it will do us more harm than several hurricane*. The duty on the fruits will simply prohibit business being done with Australia, and this will, naturally, be disastrous to most of our small planters. The Chinese firms had entered into heavy contraots for the purohase of native hinanas from the Nad- j raga district, and 1 irge sums of money! had been invested both by Chinese and by the natives for the carriage of fruit from the plantations to the port of shipment. A bond was given to the Government, with security for £SOO, for the proper carrying out of the contract. The firms have instructed their agent to cancel the contract, and, if necessary, to-abandon the £SOO security. A deputation of merchants and planters will interview the Colonial Secretary this morning with a view of having the matter placed before the Federal Government, as it is thought improbable that thecountry we are doing mo3t of our business with should so tax our exports as to s'op tho trade. Tha bulk of tha goods imported into Fiji comes from Sydney, and the fruit trade between F.ji and Sydney hasbsen cariied on for over 25 years. It appears to those of us whose lot is cast in Fiji that it is extremely bard for the tipade, which after many years' hard work has been brought to a satisfactory state, to be suddenly ruined by the action of another British possession, and that the one to whioh most of our money goes. It is a small matter to the | Commonwealth of Aus'ralib, but an all important matter to the small struggling colony of Fiji. It will, no doubt, appear clear to the Commonwealth 1 that, excepting New Zealand, there is Ino other market to which our perish* able goods can be sent. When the | agitation was made for the federation of Fiji with New Zealand, the majority of the European population felt convinced that the friendship of Australia for F.ji, oemented by our large busi ness transactions, would forever prevent these islands being handed over to New Zealand. Tloii late aotion of almost ruining our trade will have the effect of drawing this colony closer to New ZeaUnl and more distant from Australia."