AUCKLAND OUGHT TO GO IN FOR FREE TRADE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2425, 26 January 1888, Page 2

AUCKLAND OUGHT TO GO IN FOR FREE TRADE.

TO THE KDITO'.I. Sir, —I can quite understand how the manufacturers of Christchurch and Dunedin go in for protection. I can also understand how the. master mechanics (if Auckland also wish for protection, but to me it appears suicidal for the people of Auckland to wish for protection. Dunedin and Christehureh are not seaports. Of course, Dunedin has salt water; the Tarnaki at Otahulm has also salt water, but the Tainaki is not a seaport. A seaport is a harbour like Auckland, where the Great Eastern could sail up and dischargher cargo within f>oo yards of tho Customhouse. No doubt protection would also be suicide to Dunedin and Christchurch, it would be so to tho whole people (masters excepted,) for protection is wholly in the interest of the employers who are tew in minibers, and a curse to all others who in number are many. Directly it would be a curse to tho working men in lowering wages. Working men, this is as sure as death. Iti directly it would be a curse to the whole of the population of these towns as in this, that what would be bad for the country as a whole would ultimately be bad for them, then is the law of re-enact With Auckland it is different, in this, that both directly and indirectly, openly on the surface as well as behind the surface. No noed to sue through a stonewall to see that it would be bad for Auckland to have protection. It is for the interest of the groat seaport of the country to have free trade. New York, which bears the same relation to the United States as Auckland does to New Zealand, has always been, and is for free trade. What is good for New York city is also good for Auckland city, and I warn the one or two Auckland members who are pronounced protectionists, and also the one who is neither one nor the other, but who is going to be cute, and who will dodge anyway, that if they sacrifice their city a day of reckoning will come some day. Cuteness has played out that sort of thing of sitting on two stools and playing two games, and waiting to see how it will bo. best to play on to Sir George Grey's hands won't do. I tell that member to take an example from straightforward, manly, bold, honest John Bryce. 'Dodging in the long run ends in dufuat ; saying what is light, none daring to make you in the long run ends in success. Some day the electors of Waitotara, liku the electors of Kdinburirh, who rejected Macauly, and who afterwards went down on their knees to him to get him once more for their member, like, the electors of Edinburgh, tho WaitoUra electors will also beg honest John to lie once more their member. Ho sure as the sun shines so sure will this happen, lining straight always ends in victory. This Auckland member or members who are going to sit on two stools wil! be sure to fall and hurt their bottom, only there is j|o bottom in them. ]5e honest and be free traders, and so do good to your city and country.—Yours very truly, Harapu'i.