TOPICAL READING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10043, 18 July 1910, Page 4

TOPICAL READING.

A TARIFF PROBLEM. The problem of the new Japanese tariff which is being debated by com mercial London with some anxiety will arouse more and more attention during the next year. Fur some time atter Japan was open to trade she had no freedom for tariff regulation, the amount of duty chargeable on foreign goods being fixed by the foreign Pnwei-2, by treaty arrangements, as is the case to-day with China. After some years of great effort Japan succeeded in securing fresh treaties by which a fixed tpriff was to continue for ten years from Julr, 1900. After then, by giving a year's notice, Japan could alter he* tariff as she pleased. This notice has been given and the new tariff will come into force within a year. The Japanese say that the new customs duties have been prepared with full consideration for Brit:sh interests. British merchants maintain that they will argely kill their trade with Japan, and that some of their oldest established merchants will have to. close

their doors. Those who know the Far East are aware that for over. two years Japan has been covering the world with trade commissioners, making careful inquiries into the possibilities of tariff increases. Japan must have money to pay for her great Army and costly Navy. She must have Protection to build up her cotton, iron, woollen, and other indnsj tries. She is going to carry scientific S Protection to its uttermost, whatever ! the effect on the foreigner. I =■_=: