PREFERENTIAL TARIFF

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 903, 29 May 1903, Page 2

PREFERENTIAL TARIFF

£Pcr Press Association), Christchurch, last night.

At the quarterly meeting of the Chamber of Commerce to-day the President, Air A. H. Turnbull, said he hoped that Air Chamberlain’s recent speech would be the forerunner of definite action in the direction of a preferential Customs tariff. The action of Canada in adopting a tariff giving preferential trade relations to Great Britain was a brilliant example. It was for the Colonies to take the initiative, and to unreservedly express their decision to join forces with Great Britain and present an united front in trade and commerce as spontaneously as they had exhibited their desire and carried into effect their intention to assist her on the battle-field of South Africa. Preferential tariff meant no increase in direct taxation, but only a surcharge upon imports from foreign countries, and would be a clear indication to those countries of the spirit which animates us. It had been shown that over 85 per cent, of the import trade and 95 of the export is with Great Britain, and therefore any disturbance of commerce eau be hut small, and a preferential tariff in favor of Great Britain be but slightly felt, and that probably only for a short period. Air LaureDson, M.H.R., said he strongly sympathised with the movement, aDd felt that the proposals would be accepted with a great deal of enthusiasm.