BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1924, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

[■“The Tints” Serviced

(Received this dnv at il.'lo a.in.) LONDON, Feb. 21. In the Commons a volley ol criticiz ing questions followed the announce mein by Air Ammon that tho Govern incut had decided, in view of the cr

ions unemployment, to proceed with tin' laying down of five cruisers, three ill' which will he built in the lloynl dockyards, nml two I li■' 1 1 ''-cl-. 1011dors will be invited immediately so tlmt the work could ]>rocee'l ns soon ns Parliament sanctioned the expeudi--1 are. Reply ins to Mr Amery, Mr Aniimm said depot ships and other items on the programme which Mr .Amery Imd previously submitted to the House were still being considered. TARIFF’ I’REKEREXIE. t vi KM'S ok British id: til is. LONDON, February 21. in the House of Lords. t.ord Beau-c-haiup drew attention to the high duty ti nt the Dominions imposed on liiitisli goons under their preferential tin ill's. |Palish goods entering Canada paid 29 pci cent., and American goods enlvipaid blit II pci cent.

He said that Australia's prel'erenc on Rritisli goods amounted piaciii ail. to only I per cent., while the itverag duty on foreign goods was decrease hy nearly 7 per cent. He regret tei timt despite the preieienco, the Biitisl {roods entering New Zealand were de creasing. Ho pointed out tliaL, whit giving India a preference; Britain Tin not receive n reciprocal benefit, .Lord Arnold pointed out that the pro loonies varied considerably, rangini

in un A per eel it., in South Africa, P 25 per cent, in Australia, which wt; (he highest, average duty. The Biiti-i goods entitled to preference, on enter ing any of the four self-governing Ho millions, paid about 10 per cent, avalorem duty. Deducting preference they stall paid a duty of over 15 pc: cent ad valorem. The Dominions mu.s have complete liberty to settle thei: own ntfairs.

bold Olivier announced that a Tarili Committee would shortly be loruiec and possibly it would consider the question of India’s preference. fail'd Devonshuo earnestly deprecat

ml any suggestion that the assistame winch the Dominions granted to British goods was not appreciated by the Motherland. The figures showed that preference conferred a considerable advantage on British trade, and he strongly appealed to all parties to work together to develop Imperial trade. Jail'd Devonshire said that he hoped the Government, in its forthcoming statement of policy, would be guided by the great results already achieved ami still further develop Empire trade.