TARIFF QUESTION.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 November 1923, Page 3

TARIFF QUESTION.

[ It KI'TEK.S TE!,Ia;I!AMS. J All! MASSEY’S VIEWS. LONDON: Nov. 7. Mr Massey was chief guest at the Cloth Workers’ Guild. Replying to the toast of the Overseas visitors, lie .-aid: “if you are going to make the Empire prosperous, you have got to assist in the development of the countries overseas.” The Imperial Government had offered loans three-fourths free ol interest, for five years, lie was ready to take four millions to-morrow. and use it to purchase electrical machinery, railway and bridge material m Britain. If other Doiiiiiious acted likewise, it would go a long way towards i cloving British unemployment. Alter the Conference lie was going to spend New Zealand money. Whenever a Dominion had an opportunity to spend money, it should spend it in Britain.

A CANDID BANKER. LONDON. Nov. 8. Sir Herbert I lemhling. of Barclay's Bank, in his prcsidcidiial address to the Institute of Bankers' said: "We are losing much trade because ol the European situation, which is outside our control : hut we are losing much more than that as the result of high production costs, which are within our control. Olio remedy would bo to lower wages, but this would I ,• very uude-ir-ahle. Indeed, a reduction in "'ages does not necessarily mean a lediu-tioi! in the cost of production. Higher wages. in some eases, is likely ii he more effective. A heller wav is to iu-eivn.-e production hv greater efflcoiiey and tin increased output by ill" workers. The heresy in iavoiir oi limiting the output is not confined to labour. Many trade combinations to have formed almost exclusively, not in order to organise mass production, but U> restrict' product ion. and for | revealing what these mannfael urers eon-id'." to he undesirable competition. If I,'t hour removed all restrict ions on the output, ami il the capitalists aimed at a small profit; on a big output. then Britain would increase her overseas trade, and would cure h -r unemployment. CONSER YA’i'l YES DIVIDED. LONDON. Nov. 8. The “Daily Chronicle" says: Iho Conservatives are much divided over the tariff issue at the general election. One .section is dissnt istied at the emission of wheat and meat untie.-, which, they claim, prevent- any teal preference. Others are afraid of food taxes. I hey favour an emasetilat a! programme. A third section hope yet to see a protectionist programme, including duties on imported bacon, eggs, and dairy produce. Labour intends to challenge the Oovcrnmeut liueiiijdoymenl policy, including the tariff' proposals, as soon as the House ol Commons meets. Meantime. Mr Lloyd Georg" s return ip-morrow is keenly awaited. ID- former colleagues arc mooting him at Southampton to confer respecting the election outlook.