TARIFF COMMISSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1940, 23 November 1906, Page 2

TARIFF COMMISSION.

A CHANGE OF FISCAL POLICY RECOMMENDED.

PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT Received If,lo p.m , Nov. 22. London, Nov. 22.

The Tariff Commission recommend, for tho removal of tho of British ugricuilU'C, a chaugo of fiscal policy, combined with measures for dealing with transperi, cnhrgoment of the powers of tho Buurd of Agriculture, aud local taxation ; also further facilities for laud purchase. They do not recommend u wheat bounty, but recommend 6d per- cat duty on foreign whout and 3d on oolonial They do not believe this will oauee any rise in the price of bread, aud under uo conceivable circumstances more than l-6d of a penny per quarter loaf. Equivalent duties, with equivalent colonial preference, ought to bo imposed on maize, barley, oats, and rye. They recommend 15 per owt on foreign flour, with a substantially lower daty on oolonial flour, the exact rate being negotiated with the ooiouies, provided an advantage is finally allowed to tho United Kingdom’s milling industry. They recommend au import duty of about 5 per coat. ad valorem on aaimalß, meat, and baoon. They consider that a concession in preference to oolonial baoon wonld bo a very great advantage in connection with the arrangement of a preferential scheme, especially with Canada. With the view of increasing British dairy produoe they recommend that spooifio duties of 5 to 10 per oent. be imposed on foreign butter, cheese, poultry, and eggs. They suggest a similar speoifio duty on foreign garden produce and hops. They consider British agriculture has much to gain from an extended oolonial market for British manufactures resulting from a system of reciprocal preference. They recommend that substantial preference be given to the oolonies in oonneotion with duties on agricultural produce, the exaot amount, except on wheat, depending upon the value in return for preference the oolonies are willing to grant.