THE QUESTION OF PROTECTION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2354, 11 August 1887, Page 3

THE QUESTION OF PROTECTION.

TO Tll K KDITOU.

Silt,—l desire to reply to my friend, “ 1 laripipi.” f will ilo so, net in my own lint in those of Sir .lolm Hull, for whom “ 1 larapipi ’ has ho profound an admiration. In his speech at Leeston on Saturday, duly 30th, Sir John Hail made the remarks subjoined. It will he seen that Sir John Hall fully endorses the principles of the I lovernmcnt, and also what I have contended ;or all through, namely: (1) That the tariff should be so arranged that raw material may be admitted duty free; (2) that by increases and readjustment of the tariff local industries and manufactures may be stimulated and created; (3) that the aggregate of taxation should not be increased for protective purposes, but that as taxation is increased on one class of articles to stimulate their production in the colony, it would at the same time be decreased to a proportionate ex ten ton art ides of general consumption. These views are endorsed by Mr John Stuart Mill, as applied to a new country ; and botli Major Atkinson and Sir John flail hold them. An honest free trader, who is prepared to accept the logical nsnlt of his principles, does not exbt in New Zealand ; at heist, that is my opinion. Wo must have revenue, and that being so, the proper course is to revise the tarilf so as to assist onr industries. Had the Opposition accepted this, and used their majority in committee to improve the tariff proposals instead of trying to seize the Treasury beaches prior to the general election, an improved tariff might have been obtained, and IMG,OOO saved tu the country.—l am, Sir. yours truly, O. W. Ilussiit.r,. Cambridge, August (sth, ISS7.

lOxtract from Sir John 1 fall's speech at Leeston, Saturday, July 30th 18S7. I will now refer to the other taxation proposals of the Government. They wish to raisu additional revenue by means of the customs tariff. 1 agree that you should, to the utmost extent of your power, raise customs revenue fromluxuries, butyoumust be careful net to overstep the point at which such duties cease to bo productive. If you tax luxuries above a certain extent, and make them so expensive that people will not use them, yon will actually lose revenue. Tax silks, satins, champagne, and carriages by all means, tax also spirits and tobacco and other luxuries, but nut to an extent which would actually reduce your revenue instead of increasing it. (Applause.) If, after doing this, more revenue is required, let ns proceed upon and develop the principle of the tariff of 187!), which was to endeavour to assist the establishment of those industries for which the colony presents natural advantages. In this matter 1 am at issue with my opponent. Upon this subject I rather agree with the Government. He disagrees with the Government upon this subject as upon most others. I admit the dangers to bo apprehended from pushing protection far. iiy doing so you may seriously raise the cost of living. But bearing in mind the number of children growing up around us, and who will soon require employment, I cannot help feeling anxious as to the future. (Applause.) No doubt the land is what we should look jo to support as large a share of the population as possible ; but you will agree with me that all will not be able to find employment upon the land, and therefore we ought to strain a point to uring about the establishment of industries which would afford occupation to as large a portion of the population ns possible. I would take the case of each article by itself, and consider whether a moderate increase of doty upon it would enable a new industry to be established which would not bo established without such assistance. If such could be done, then it would be, m my opinion, justifiable and proper to impose such additional duty. (Cheers.) 1