FREE TRADE V. PROTECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2161, 15 May 1886, Page 4

FREE TRADE Y. PROTECTION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sm,— Very many people are cudgelling their bruin-* to find out the cause of the great depression we are now, and have been for a long time passing through. Some say it in from over production, others ' say it is front want of an outlet, while some others say it is not from either of these causes, but that it arises from the unjust incidence in raising the interest on our borrowed loans, and also the taxes for carrying on the Government of the country. My opinion is in favour of tha latter as being the cause. For I am of opinion that a country which w producing a very large surplus over and above it* own requirements should not with good government be in a state of depression. Now I think that protection has a great deal to answer for in this matter, for I find that it costs each individual in the state, directly and indirectly, upwards of 2s per week. Now, what does this mean ? Why, to bring the matter into a small compass, we will say that Hamilton contains 1500 inhabitants; it costs them annually £8000. Now we have not more than 12 persons working at' protected trades in this township. Is it worth our while to fox ourselves to the tune of £8000 annually, to find employment for 12 persons ? Now if we had no protection we should still require these 12 artisans, and, if I make no mistake, we should require a great deal more; fnr^ if the above sum were left in the people's pockets, instead of bring paid away in taxation, thdy would inoxt assuredly spend the greatest portion in buying extra clothing, boots, shoes, furniture, &c. Yes, but revenue must be raised. Granted, but let, it be taken from the increased .value given to the land by the natural increase of the people, the influx of population, and the expenditure of public moneys on making railway*, roads. &c, &c Now if this we.ro done the money would be taken i out of \ery few pockets indeed, and thnt without doing them any injustice. It costs £80,000 annually to collect the Customs duties. Now this money is spent entirely upon unproductive work, fwr if we had a laud tax it would cost very little, if any more, than collecting the present property, tax. Now this £80,000 menus, tho employment of 400 persons at an average of £200 per annum upon work which I consider a positive injury to the state. How much better it would he if these people were employed in reproductive occupation. I hope I have said sufficient to cause many of your readers to ponder over the problem of the state taking the increment in the rise in land values instead of taking the bulk of the taxes from those who are least able to bear them.— Your* faithfully. John Pakr. Hamilton, May 7th, 188 G.

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