THE TAX ON TEA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue XXXXV, 7 December 1903, Page 2

THE TAX ON TEA.

Discussion at thfi meeting of tradesmtsn Oh Friday, whten t'he subject of tte tea duty was considered, was at times freely condemnatory of the action of the legislature in passing such an unjust provision in t'he Preferential Trade Bill. The opinion shared by most of those present was that the majority of memters of the House were not cognisant of what was being done, and would never knowingly have consented to Buch an unjust tariff distinction in favour Of a few large importers. Ttoebulk of New Zealand's tea imports was grown and packed in British dependencies, and that it should be subject to any imposition was looked upon with' astonishment ajnd'disfavour. Troldesmen, outside of the large houses, could not, it was pointed out! import tea in sufficiently large quantities to pay ; and if all supplies were to be drawn through these colonial merchants the consumer Would derive no benefit at all from the remission. In spite of thle lifting of tho duty of twopence per pound off bulk teas the consumer would have to pay the same for his packets as at present, since tho Ceylon or Indian-packed article was still subject to the im-' post. Any financial benefit, .therefore, that accrued from the partial iemission of the tea duties only affected the pockets of the packers. In the circumstances it behoves the traders of the colonies' to unite in ■a combined protest against the state ol affairs that will exist if the provision of tho Act comes into iorce on March 31 next, If this be done with an energy that shown thorough detenuinaition on the part of the general importers we feel sure the Government will recognise tihe evil that has—perhaps inadvertently , but Howe the loss, surely—been (tone, and will exercise the authority which it has to suspend the operation ol' the obnoxious clause until Parliament can carefully consider and deal with the matter.