PRICE OF GOODS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1722, 10 April 1888, Page 2

PRICE OF GOODS.

The Ashburfcon Guardian says—"lt is repeated usque ad naugeam, that tbe effect of Protection must necessarily be to make the things protected drearer than under Freetrade, and the inference, if the statement is to carry any weight, is that so long as Protection endures so long also will these comparatively hijjh prices endure." The Guardian shows how fallacious this is, and continues :—" Take for example two salient industries. One is that of bmding twine for reapers and binders. Before the imposition of the duty the price of this article imported from Home was is 3d per pound, to-day an equally good article can be, and is, locally manufactured and sold for 8d a pound. Another, in connection with the price of woollen goods, was brought under our notice to-day by a member of a firm which deals largely in such manufactures. The firm in question recently despatched an order to a Horn* house for, amongst other things, a line of what is known in the trade as West of England hair-cord tweed, which article was invoiced to them at 4s 4d per yard, and cost 5s 5d landed in the colony. They have since visited the. Mosgiel factory, and find that an identical article as regards puttern, quality, and value can be supplied to them at these mills at 3s 9d per yard, and that it can be delivered at their own doors at something more than 20 per cent under the price of the imported goods, lhat doubtless is the result of? the competition which has naturally followed upon the firm establishment of the woollen manufacturing industry in New Zealand, and similar results may fairly be looked for from the establishment of other industries | suited to the colony. An: ounce of fact (says the proverb) is worth a pound of theory,'and the facts we have adduced are j indubitable proof that there is a screw loose in the Freetrade theory, and that its dogmas are not to be received with the unquestioning and blind faith which its disciples consider the highest proof of political wisdom."