PREFERENTIAL TARIFF.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 384, 8 April 1902, Page 1

PREFERENTIAL TARIFF.

At the Trades and Labor Conference at Wellington Mr Eosser (Auckland) moved: “ That this conference considers that the time has come when it is desirable in the interests of the Empire commercially and industrially for the Government to consider whether international preference should not be given to British products and manufactures.” He believed that fellow workers should get the highest wage and the shortest hours. Their fathers had struggled for these conditions in the Old Country and had come to the colonies to better their condition. During the past few years events had happened which had drawn the colonies and the Mother Country closer together, but he considered they should fight and protect themselves from the long hours of the Old Land. They should put a high duty on goods manufactured in foreign countries. After the settlement of the Transvaal war would come a great war of commerce, and it was time that they, as Britishers,' fought for preference to their own race and protect themselves against the cheaper articles of France and Germany.

Mr Young (Canterbury) seconded the motion pro forma. He said they had heard sentimental reasons in favor of a preferential tariff, but they should discuss it from a business standpoint. There was a doubt what the proposal referred to. Were they to admit English goods free, and place a high duty on foreign goods ? If duties were to be removed from British goods, he was afraid that the merchants would reap the benefit, and not the workers. Canterbury had tried the experiment, and, as a consequence, her export of grain had fallen to a considerable extent. He was opposed to the resolution. Mr Collins (Wellington) supported the motion. He thought goods which could bo manufactured in the colony should be obtained locally, and not imported from elsewhere. English goods which could not be obtained in New Zealand should be carried in British vessels. Mr Naughton (Wellington) spoke in favor of the proposition. Some steps should be taken to see that preference was given only to English goods and not to foreign goods, which could without anv difficulty be sent to England and then sent out free of duty. He was not in favor of a rebate, butthought, an extra impost should be levied on articles of foreign manufacture. MrHood (Otago) submitted statistics showing the relative values of the imports from England, the United States and Germany. He thought that a preferential tariff would alienate their best customers, and he accordingly was opposed to the motion. Several delegates spoke against the motion. It was said that nothing could he easier than for foreign manufacturers to send goods to English merchants, who exported them to the colonies as British goods. Mr Betts (Westland), on the ground that the preferential tariff would be virtual free trade, supported the raption.

Mr Rosser asked permission to amend the resolution in the direction that a preferential tariff he granted in favor of English goods manufactured by British workmen. The permission was granted by ten* votes to two, and the resolution to amend was carried, nine votes being recorded for and four votes against the motion.

It is in questionable taste to make a money gift as a requital for services rendered* in the cause of patriotism, and on this ground alone Mr Seddon should have put a curb at once on the gallop of his friends in the direction of discrediting the reasons that induced him to boldly lead all the Premiers “foip King and Country,” 0 amatu Tisjei.