FREE TRADE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume 42, Issue I, 28 November 1868, Page 3

FREE TRADE.

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka' Times.) Sin, — Please allow me a small space in my usual column to correct a misapprehension ©n your part (vide your second loader of last week). You very* erroniously and unjustifiably blaze my name before the world as a protectionist of the old soliool. Now, sir, 1 defy you or any otlier man to gather from my remarks on native industry that 1 have any protectionist proclivities at all. If a protectionist is one who is desirous of seeing this colony become a large exporting country, and who wishes to see us enabled to raise up and foster numerous industries for the purpose of supplying our many wants, and to keep at home more of tho hard cash which we are continually sending out of the country, then I am a protectionist of the first water. But, thanks to the Miioidal policy of our rulers, we have all along been protecting others instead of ourselves. It i 3 the first law of nature to protect ourselves ; and colonial enterprise needs no otlier protection than a "fair field and no favour." A young colony like New Zealand cannot bear the incessant drain upon her resources which she is continually undergoing ; and we shall never become a great people until we manufacture everything we "Want as far as circumstances favour. I believe British industry and pluck will make any enterprise pay, without any protective duty. What I want, and what I advocate, is this : that our colonial industries should have the preference, all things being equal. I was much pleasad to see your favourable notice of our neigh- ! bour the brewer, lately commenced business in Ihis delightful spot. I am not a beer drinker,, at the same time 1 freely accept what you say concerning it ; but it is a cheap and ea^y way to trumpet our patriotism by a dash of the pen. I have known men in Ofcago, even in high places, who had now and then a show of patriotism, but, like the blood of St. Januarius, it flowed only in tho presence of a crowd ; and it is very possible that the next time you " licker up" at neighbour Walsh's or tho Commercial you will "shout" English ale, even although th'j cellars might ho overflowing with prime colonial. I know there ara mou of this Btamp ; I don't say you are one of them by any means, but I know whero to find them. JTlie_ great charye 1 * upon indents must bo a [sufficient protection for any colonial enIterprise. The charges upon indents fmay bo Summarised thus : — Exchange interest," 'commission and dock- charjoa, freight, ancl other port charges- in Otago! I will make up in rotmd figure's 17£ per cent. ; these charges, together with the merchant's profit, make up a sum of 35 to 40 por cent, on tho home invoices ; and if thoae invokes aro ''.salted," which they oxion ara, tho amount is augmented considerably. You will thus uao that there h c. sufficient margin to ensure the 'sudce3S of colonial manufactures. We are in duty bound to protect ourselves, and if supported we can do so. Of cqm'3e, what you advance as regards the* miners does not fit me. Thay know that when I arlvocato a particular lino of policy it i 3 oartly on their account. They are my boyfriends, and is i 3 simply absurd to think that I tun running counter to thdir interests. A line of policy might ba av;mcd on -k>th aid^s with ccurhesey and fairness ; and without importing anything -into -it personally offensive, the subject will bear a'lifcf le moro ventilation, and ■ I -should- like to approach it ; in & manner' befitting ita importance. -^f &Q-, Old Psteb Pipss. Wetherttonea Braes, Nov. 24, 1868.