The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-07-01

A discussion Of the tariff problem by
unbiased disputants and from fresh
standpoint is unique in its interest. The
South African Republic stands outside
the tariff wars. 1t has not in the past
had settled commercial policy. But
within the year it looks for the compile
tion of important railways, and with the
prospect of cheap transportation the
question is becoming of pressing import
ance, shall it allow itself to be flooded
with free imports or,with cheap coal and
splendid natural advantages, shall it take
active measures to build up its own
manufacturing industries?
How the rival policies of protection
and free trade look to young republic
which studies them without prejudice
and dc novo may best be judged from
an editorial discussion of the matter in
the Pretoria Press of May 1s. Some ex-
tracts follow:
Few of the charges that are so COM
monty levelled at the system of govern
ment obtaining in this republic are bet
ter founded than Is the accusation that
we have never formulated an intelligent
commercial policy. Our tariffs are GER
tainly not consciously regulated on free
trade principles, nor, for that matter,
seeing that they are primarily designed
for revenual purposes, can they be said
to be protectionist in the true sense. But
it is inevitable that this haltinR be-
tween two opinions cannot continue
much longer. The railways, long de-
layqd n af IQQf Qt fhraQhnln
and before twelve months are passed we
must seriously ask ourselves a question
which mas confronted every civilized
State in the world, and has been an
swered by Great Britain in one way, and
by every other country in another and
diametrically opposite sense. We shall,
In short, have TO make up our minds
whether we shall encourage practically
free imports, trusting for our revenue to
direct taxation, or whether we shall by
carefully regulated tariffs foster and en-
courage the growth OF Industries within
our own borders.
We do not hesitate to say that when
once the government of this country fair
ly and frankly face the question, the bal
ance OF opinion will be in favor of our fol-
lowing the example which has been set
by America, the English colonies, and
every commercial State OF any import
ance--with the solitary exception of
Great Britain itself. We shall, in other
words definitely range ourselves on the
side of Protection.
We shall recognize that the natural
facilities of the Transvaal for manufac-
turing aud agricultural purposes, great
as these undoubtedly are, are not of them
selves sufficient TO support the brunt of
worldwide competition, and having once
acknowledged that general principle, we
shall proceed to give 10 that logical appli-
cation which will almost Immediately
ensure the springing into life OF dozen
promising industries
Ii would not be difficult TO instance of
hand one or two Industrial enterprises,
which, though still embryonic, offer great
promise of success and are i'm the true
sense of the word local, inasmuch as the
raw material is the product OF the coun-
try. Some of these are working under
grave difficulties consequent on the for
cisn competition whicn they have to
fight, and at least one. In which thou
sands have been invested. will inevitably
close unless that protection which in
America or Germany would never he
asked for in vain, IN speedily afforded IL.
What In now wanted Is full, free and
fair competition from within. but rigid
prUrccrtOH against competition from with
out, aud i'm this way. with cheap coal,
cheap labor-which we have still % com
pass-anu cheap internal transport. there
is no reason why In twenty years time cur
industrial Importance should be less than
that Of the richest OF the Australian colos
nies.
There are, for example, within seven