Wairarapa Daily Times. [Establsihed 1874.] THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 1895. PILLS FOR PROTECTIONISTS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 4981, 21 March 1895, Page 2

Wairarapa Daily Times. [Establsihed 1874.] THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 1895. PILLS FOR PROTECTIONISTS.

High Customs duties are imposed for the purpose of protecting local industries, and singularly enough industries that are content with 15 per cent, to 20 per cent, protection during infancy, require a much greater amount of protection as they grow older. These hot-house pro(luctionsin variably ncedmoro manuring each year to keep them healthy and vigorous, but the expense of the operation has to be borne by the public. New Zealand is doomed to have a further dose of protection,, for that is really the true meaning of the Tariff Commission, and those who have perused such of the evidence given before the Commission, as has been allowed publicity, will have noted its strong high tariff tenj dency. In the past the advocates of ! protection have pointed to Victoria as a brilliant and noteworthy exi amplo of the benefits of high Customs duties fostering local industries. Protection has had a very long run in Victoria and a very fair trial, while in New South Wales freetrade has prevailed except for a few years past when slight protective duties were imposed. The tariff burden in New South Wales is 15 per cent., in New Zealand 25 per cent,, and Victoria 50 per cent. The results of the two policies can he tested only by taking the gain to the people. In the matter of trade, New South Wales is a long way ahead of her neighbour, as the following table of exports and imports for 1894wi1l show:—

Excess cf Imports. Exports. Exports, £. i. £. 1 Victoria.. 12,470,509 14,026,540 1,555,947; N.S.Wales 18,107,035 22,921,223 4,814,1881

j The freetrade Colony shows a very healthy condition as compared with the protectionist, and is better able topay herway. There is another table which is also instructive, The Shipping Gaxtte of the 22nd ult.; showed the sailing vessels to arrive ut the two ports of Melbourne and Sydney to stand as follows: At Melbourne. At Sydney.

Vessels, Tonnage. Vessels. Tonnage. '3l * 37,032 'BS ' 94,302'

These figures would appear to in<}icato tlnit a freetrade shipping, while protection 'd'riyes away tlje fiver sea trade, is not only shipping that finds ft fnjetpid. ing country alluring, but population

also seoms to show a preference for the country that conforms to natural laws, _ Mr Coghlan's population statistics show thatthegainof population for the whole'of Australasia I during 1894 was 85,466. New South Wales increased its populaion during that period by 28,080, while Victoria showed ja gain of 6098 only, People must find a freetrade country healthier, to show such a .decided preference for it, The opinions of the investors, respecting the two countries, is almost worth noting, and this opinion is disclosed in the prices ruling for the respective Government stocks. In spite of the wonderful things protection is supposed to accomplish, investors show a striking partiality for the freetrader; the latest London Stock Exchange quotations are New South Wales ~ 4 pec cent. £llO Victoria 4 per cent. £lO4 a difference of six points in favour of freetrade; then again New South Wales 3J per cent. £lO2 0s Od Victoria ~ .. 3J per cent. £9B 5a Od another substantial difference to the credit of freetrade, There is a potency in the above facts and figures which is indisputable. All along the line the freetrade colony shows a superior position, and is an object lesson to the rest of Australasia. Freetrade is the natural law, and the colony that obeys the law progresses, and its progress is of a permanent and enduring character. We leavo it to our readers to say which of the two colonies Protectionist Victoria, or freetrade New South Wales, this colony should adopt as a pattern. Most people, we venture to say, would choose New South Wales, but the muddle-headed men who at present rule New Zealand see more to admire in Victoria than New South Wales, and consequently our tariff is (o be built on the 50 per cent drive-away-trade and population basis. Without doubt, the members of the Ministry, have monopolised the platform, during the recess, Ail the Ministers except, we believe, the Colonial Secretary, have spoken loudly and frequently, but none more so than the Premier. Mr Seddon takes to the platform, much as a duck takes to the water, but he does not exhibit the same amount of gracefulness. It is not within our provinco to demur at the number, and frequency of Ministerial utterances, it is their privilege to speak :is often as they may please. Indeed we think it rather eommemdable for Ministers to discuss public questions with the public from the platform, but we cannot countenance the claptrap and misleading statements with which Mr Seddon and his colleagues aro wont to regale their hearers. The Premier's last effort at platform oratory was at Wnnganui last week, when he tickled the ears of the groundlings by referring to Messrs T. Gale and James McLellan as members of a secret committee, soliciting subscriptions for the purpose of paying the expenses of a speaker to stump the country and expose Ministers on their true colours. To this onslaught, Mr McLellan promptly replied denying the matter and claiming the public apology promised by Mr Seddon if found to be in the wrong, The denial has gone forth, but tlio apology—well itis another of Mr Seddon's wild statements that will not be borne out by facts. We very much regret that Mr M'Lellan is not a member of the alleged committee, for if there is anything that is needed just now to give a healthy tone to politics, and rouso the country into a full sense of the political dangers that beset it through an overdose of Seddon, it is the scheme ascribed by Mr Seddon, to the Secret Committee. The Opposition members have been strangely negligent in tiiis matter. It is a duty they owe as much to themselves as (o the country, to place the intestate of affairs before the electors. The seamy side of Sedddonism, requires to bo known, and this can be given to the public only through the agency of the opposition speakers and press. A stumping tour by two or three of the many able men ou the opposite side of the House, will do much to educate the people. There is no need for any secrecy in this matter, on tho contrary, we think it will be more effective, if done in tho light of day. The materials for " tearing them into rags" are as plentiful as the leaves in autumn; the political sins of the Ministry, are pronounced and clear cut, so that it will require very litttle effort to bombard their forts. We sincerely hope the Opposition mean business, and will bring their guns into action promptly.