The first monthly meeting of the Protection League of Otago was held in the lower Choral Hall last evening, about 100 persons being' present. freridekt's addkess. Mr W. HuTcniso.s, president of the loague, said, as the Prutuuciou Leigue was beginning its campaign, hedHuot think he <j-.mM <lo butter thin make an attempt to disabuse Clio public mind of some rafonce»>i»ns that were contiuu slly brought to tli« frunt. i:i discussing ei'ouninie theories. He niHant to speak of misconceptions, not misstatem' nts, and would illustrate what he meant by the latter terra as di*tinjjuish«-d from the former. It had been Baiil that the league was disjutisS-id with Sir J. Vogel, because he did not advocate prohibitory duties. That whs a pure rnisstateiueiit The league had not declared for prohibitory duties, and he win not aware that it was likely to do so. Its programme, at all events, read clear enough: "The imposition of increased duties, 80 as to fitvnur New Z»>iluml manufactured goods in preference to imported articles," and no one without misstating the question could change increased into prohibitory duties. It would no doubt bo the business of the com mittee ere long to consider carefully what duties they thought should be increased in the in terests of local industry, and having considered the subject, to submit a r^p irt thereon for dis cussion and approval by the league. But mean time the case stood an he had stated. It wan also asserted that the league were advocating prohibitory duties, with the view of taxing the, poor for the benefit of the rich. Th-it was a rais.-t lament, and one that some of the members of the league were inclined to resent very strongly. 