BOMBSHELL IN THE COTTON WORLD

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3022, 8 March 1917, Page 5

BOMBSHELL IN THE COTTON WORLD

• -INDIA? NEW DUTY GREAT EXCITEMENT IN . . ENGLAND ' (fee. March S, , 0,15 a.m.) London, March 6. >. ' The "Morning Post" announcement regarding the Indian duty on cotton, dropped on Lancashire like a bombshell. Tho Dominions and India wore invited to send representatives to Lon- j don to proihoto 'their Imperial trade, and until the Imperial Conference meets it is improper for the Government of India to impose the duty. The action is directly opposed to the .whole spirit of the conference, which, undoubtedly is reciprocity. R was never intended that tho tariff reform should,.set the Dominions against the Mother Country.

The "Daily Neigs" vehemontly de- ■ nounces. tho duty as- revolutionary. "There is nothing quite like it in our history. The measure has been carried out without consulting Parliament, aijd implies a chance in the whole. Imperial fiscal relations in which tho Dominions are intimately concerned. The , Imperial Conference has been blithely ; overridden and forestalled."

The Lancashire cotton trade unions, representing four hundred thousand operatives, havo decided to protest •against the Indian cotton duty, and scud a deputation to Mr. Neville Chamberlain (Director of National Service). Tho loading Employers' Associations havo decided-on similar action, while speeches havo been, made complaining of the raising of the fiscal question. The .Xaiicashiro members of tho Housespf Commons have called a. meeting, and many.,quostions have been given notice in tho House.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.