THE TARIFF.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5132, 17 September 1895, Page 2

THE TARIFF.

THE FRUIT DUTIES 08. JECTED TO.

Jtecciml September 16,7.30 p.m. Sydney, September 16,

The imposition of a duty, by Now Zoaland, on fruit, has caused consternation among tho local fruit exporters. A preliminary meeting was held to-day to consider the matter, and a deputation will probably wait on the Government to-morrow, to urge them to use their influence against the immediate levying of the duty.

In the course of an interview, leading importers said they considered thoy bad been unfairly treated in not receiving notice of tho new departure. If the duties had been withheld till January Ist, it would have given them time to arrange businesß,but the suddennesß will simply involve thom in loss, and bring exportation to New Zoaland to a standstill. This is tho more likoly to bo the case at tho preaont time owing to the drought, which gives a good market locally and in Melbourne for all orchards likely to yield. The steamer 'l'ekapo sailed on Saturday withont consignments from small shippers, who could not stand tho loss. The larger dealers fulfilled their engagements at their own expense. It is stated that tho new duty means Ss per case, which will ruin the trade with New Zealand, Dunedin, Monday.

Tho fruit dealers have forwarded the following further telegram to the Colonial Treasurer regarding the duty on fruit" Respectfully assert that under the existing fruit duties on apples, pears, plums, apricots, &c., local productions have largely increased, and imported kinds decreased to a very great extent, and yearly decreasing. Any increased duties would be prohibitive, and not provide more revenue. Public generally express great dissatisfaction at tho proposed increase," Curistciidrch, Monday.

Printers and tea-packet makers are petitioning the Government to in- 1 crease the duty on tea imported in small packets. It is pointed out that t this work finds employment for a large number of workers in Christclmrch, one firm alono turning out over 100,000 tea packets in a month. Auckland, Monday.

Tho following petition, which is largely and influentially signed, was forwarded to Wellington to-day:— Hon. J. G. Ward or Hon. R. J, Seddon, Wellington.—Tho proposal to impose a duty on Island fruit is calculated to seriously affect the Island trade, which even *ow is being gradually diyertod to Sydney. Nearly tho whole of the exports from New Zealand are paid for in fruit, which is the chief article produced in the Islands, and tho loss of the market here will necessitate the trade being transferred to other places, The sbippipg and meroan, tilp interests of Auckland will suffer heavily by lpsing tho connection with the Islands, already forcibly competed for by Sydney."