The Federal Tariff.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume III, Issue 117, 19 October 1901, Page 4

The Federal Tariff.

Chbistchcboh, October 17, The Chamber of Gommerce passed the . following resolutions re the tariff:—"That this Chamber being of opinion that the highest form of states, mansbip would be manifested in fostering and developing commercial-' relations between two such contiguous - and imperially united countries' as , Australia and New Zealand, deprecates any course of action, such as imposition of prohibitory duties that might tend t 0 ‘ diminish trade between the two countries - or to lessen thef goodwill that has hitherto existed between them.” “ That in the opinion of this Chamber the Federal, tariff should be met by New Zealand seeking new and permanent markets for her produce, rather than by imposing a special tariff with the avowed object of retaliation.”

THE ARGUS ON THE TARIFF.

The Melbourne Argus, in dealing with the t ariff, remarked that " it will absolutely please no party,” and went on to say :—•; The Victorian High Tariffiats who lodged with the Treasurer a scheme for‘scientific’ protection running up to 45 per cent ad valorem duties, are left to deplore the vanishing of their dream. This party fought a desperate battle for sending our high Victorian duties up still higher, but wherever the Victorian duties are touched they are reduced. High Tariffism in the sense in which wo have used the phrase here has disappeared from the scene. On the other hand, far too many absolutely protective duties are left to be applied to those parts of Australia which have hitherto been free from these burdens. The total revenue to be raised is enormous, namely, £9,000,000, and contains tho element of extravagance. Practically there is no relief whatever given to tho producers, although they from to-day lose all the duties which they were told were their share of tho bargain. Tho free list shrinks to the smallest possible dimensions. Some of the revenue taxe* such as those on spirits, ara so high as to be very likely to defeat their object.”

The Argus continues as follows :—“ A short statement made by the Minister of Customs is of interest as giving a bird’s, eye view of the proposals. Ho gives the totals of the fiscal 8( heme as follows: Revenue. Alcohol and narcotics ... £4,100,000 Fixed and ad valorem duties levied on goods valued at £6,530,000 2,020 000 10 per cent ad valorem ... 104,000 15 per cent ad valorem .. 496,000 20 per cent ad valorem ... 1,188,000 25 per cent ad valorem .. 574,000 Or a total of £2,362,000 revenue from ad valorem duties levied upon a total value of £12,583,000. His frei- let amounts to £6,000,000, a sum far too small to do justice to the situation. But Mr Kingston declares that he looks upon » free list as opening the door to robbery.”

‘‘The claim was confidently made by Mr Kingston that the tariff is .a compromise tariff. No doubt it reduces the Victorian standard. The Victorian valorem rates are 15, 25, and 35 per cent, as against New South Wales nil. A 17J per cent could have been defended a< a fair half way hou-e, but the 25 per cent«ate leans unduly to High Tariflßsm. The Australian Parliament has to think not of Victoria, but of Australia, and 25 per cent will allow vested interests to spring up where they are not now in existence, and the vested interests created by protection constantly clamour tor more. . . Of course, with interstate duties abolished and with the new Federal expenditure to bo provided for, it was impossible to avoid extending the list of articles of foreign imports to be taxed All Australian produce goes on the free list; other articles hitherto untaxed must take their place. No exception, therefore, can be taken to the charges on calico, on linen, and on similar items. We have to set off free meat against taxed dress material. But> as revenue is wanted, ibe greater the necessity of placing the new tariff on revenue lines as far as possible, and ft little study show# how greatly this task has been neglected.”