The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1887. THE REVISION OF THE TARIFF.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2749, 14 November 1887, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1887. THE REVISION OF THE TARIFF.

We learn from the columns of a Wellington contemporary that a meet-' ing of members of the House desirous of having the Customs tariff revised this session ; in the interest of Pro-' tection, was held on Saturday morning, twenty-seven members being present. Apologies, were received from Mr . Mr. E. Richardson, and several members, and ten others were accounted for. A deputation was appointed to wait upon the Colonial: Taeasurer, to obtain from him, if possible, a pledge-that he would, deal with - the-'tariff»this - session, ;.:Tlio. deputation at once proceeded to" the Government Buildings, where they wer6 received by the Treasurer, and; having stated their, case, pledged the whole of the .Protectionist party in the House to support the Government if th'ey )yould bring down a Protection tariff' luring the- present session. Major'Atkinson, in reply, said: "It is impossible to deal with the tariff this session, but I purpose calling a session in April if possible, when I intend to have the tariff considered. I believe I can bring down a tariff acceptable both to Freetraders and Protectionists ■ but I decline to state the direction of the revised tariff, further than saying I desire to encourage local industries.'' What is the meaning of all this, what I are we to understand by thirty or forty Opposition members offering; their support to the Government. This is altogether a new combination, a fresh experiment, which indicates the curious directions in which party Government may be worked in a British Colony. Had Major Atkinson accepted the offer made by the Protectionists, had he closed with their bargain, lie might possibly have found himself monarch of all, he surveyed, the leader of a House in whicji every member was pledged to support him. It is hardly a healthy sign when an Opposition offers to commit suicide. We presume that as a matter of fact, the Opposition, is demoralised. Its members "elected Sir Julius Vogel' aB their leader, and that able Pavliamen-

tarian seeing that there is but a' poor chance of a return to office, is somewhat indifferent to fighting simply for the- fun .of the thing. For some reason or another Sir Julius appears to be taking things easy, and the offer of the protectionists to Major j Atkinson is virtually a declaration of tlie.part of a consider, able number of. members .wl)o', but a 'short time babk.werepledged tb.follow Sir Julius. Of course Major Atkin : son's refusal .to.deal with the tariff this season is a proper one. The workof retrenchment demands the undivided attention of the Ministry. To deal in a weak or indecided manner with such a grave question would-be disastrous to, Colonial interests. The sooner our retrenchment policy is formulated and determined, the better it will be for all of us. While it remains a,threat wo are paralysed, but when once the blo.w has fallen we shall know the worst, and take prompt steps to recover from its effects. The tarriff question can and must wait its turn. 'Apparently Major- Atkinson promises us some new lights on the Subject, he will be prepared' to eni courage local industries in such a way 1 that both freetraders and protectionists

will be satisfied. A miraculous tariff

would hardly, we think, meet with universal acceptance, and perhaps members may not be blamed if they faith to credit the Premier's power to settle the tariff to everybody's,' liking. It is quite clear that- the- Premier at present is the master of the situation. ■The opposition is disorganised, and" it is within his power to settle once and fsr all, the retrenchment difficulty. We have more faith in his capacity to deal with this question than we have in his ability toput the tariff-on a better basis than the existing one, and it is a satisfaction to know that he will despatch the former before he takes in hand the latter.