THE TARIFF.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8060, 14 March 1906, Page 2

THE TARIFF.

Tbkiik liaVe lately been Ministerial promises of a revision in the tariff. Mr as will bo remembered, promised a reduction on the tobacco duty, in the meantime there is no talk of the abolition of the duty on potatoes. He also told the people that lie thought poor people should be able to buy cheap calico cheaper, and for this reason he would see about the reduction of the duty. Both of which great " reforms" merely mean that the big people score. The Hon. Charles Mills, Minister of Customs, said that " the tarill' was a fearful and wonderful thing,",ind that be didn't understand it. If the towering intellect of the Minister is unable to understand the tariff, how are common folk of the commercial or professional classes to overcome the absurdities, contradictions, and idiocies of the New Zealand tariff The Tarauaki Chamber of Commerce has here a most fruitful held for discussion. T lie tariff is designed for the protection of the NewZealand manufacturer of ihe future, lie does not exist in large numbers as yet, but the. tariff presupposes his existence, and everybody suffers in having to pay very "large prices for very common goods, food-stuffs, and articles of everyday use. The general trend of legislation is, of course, in the direction of crippling capitalists, who fear to put money into businesses. The haulers, of the tariff practically say: "We design the pro tective schedule in order to encourage manufacturers, so that when we get them to start we may crush them." The Chamber of Commerce might impress upon the people the suicidal nature of such a policy. At present, and without large cap'ital, it is impossible for colonial manufacturers to compete with the foreigner, and the colonial buyer is in the (juiiint position of paying through the nose for most of the things he gets. As a matter of fact, the rod designed for the back of the foreigner falls on the back of the colonial who is being " protected."

be regretted that it will be fouml | necessary to apply the [aiming knife to the start', which, on the whole, is undoubtedly a good one, but the ratepayers'interests are the only ones to be considered at this juncture. Legal and engineering expenses have been, heavy during the loin spending period, but now that conditions are again normal, there is no valid or business-like reason for maintaining two such expensive departments. It is, therefore, to be liopod that Councillors will face the position, and however unpleisant it may be, do their duty by those whom they represent.