WORLD TRADE BARRIERS.

Chronicle (Levin), 18 November 1946, Page 5

WORLD TRADE BARRIERS.

Received Sundav, 7 p.m. LONDON, Nov. 16. A report by- the Association of British Cluuubers of Commerce urges^ the British Government,. at the World Trade and Employrment Conference-, to resist pressure for the removal of Lm perial preference as a condition precedent to the coninieneement of international diseulsions 011 world trade barriers. The report adds: "If other nntions should offer efl'ective tarifl! reductions, the British negotiators should ijisist that preferences should only be lifted in eonjiinctioii with advquute measures for general tariff reductions. ' The Association eonsidered that tlie British Comniomvealth of Nat'ions, colonies and depeudencies were as mucli entitled to be regarded as a single econoiuie unit as States comprising the United Btates and those forming Russia. They were, theret'ore, unquestionably entitled to a niuch looser and less exclusive econoniic association which tliev preferred.

Tlie Association expressed tlie opiniou that the Doniinions imposing special protectice tarifis to foster new indus tries, should show consideration for tlie interests of previous overseas suppliers aiul as ntuch notice as possible should be given of intention to protect a new industry. I time liniit might be set for taritt's 111 tlie lirst stage of a new iudus;rv which migut ueed a liigher degree of proteetion tlian would be necessary when fullv developed.