BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1924, Page 2

BRITISH POLITICS.

[Reutkiis Teleouams.] LONDON, November 24. Mr Amery also pointed out that, in carrying out a policy which Air Baldwiu had placed in the forefront of his election programme, the Government would undoubtedly be subjected to limitations, like Mr Baldwin's pledge not to impose any new food duties for the sake of preference, which might be regrettable, but it was a necessary concession to fears which, h .wever, groundless they might be, were nevertheless real. While, therefore, the (iovernment was pledged in ibis direction, il was no less pledged to carry out the Imperial ('(inference preference recommendations.

Mr Amerv further announced* that, so long as a duty of one half-penny per pound existed on sugar, thei;o would bo a preference given to an equal amount oil Empire sugar products. The (iovernment would also follow out a principle laid down at the Imperial Conference of HH7, with the assent of all parties, that wherever ami whenever, in".safeguarding its own interests, or lor flic sake of revenue, any CovernnieiiL in the Empire found' il-cll obliged to impose a duty, there would be a definite preference in favour of tlie Empire, and against - the foreigner, lie referred to the rooted

Imbiis ot tlie consumers who were aceiistoined to a particular label, and to tlie agencies who were handling and distributing foreign goods, and who, piohably, would dispute every inch of the I'ieid with the Empire producer. Tin- aim should be a clearing of channels of Empire trade which were choked | IV various prejudices against imperial preference and vested interests. Mr Amerv foreshadowed an early meeting of the Economic Committee I bat was arranged at the 1023 Imperial ('onferenre. whose first duty would be to ascertain bow Empire products could be brought to the consumer at a moderate price, while securing a Jf reasonable return to the producer. He recalled tin- Australian Premier, Mr Bruce’s insistence at tin- Economic Conference that tie- questions of mar-. Lots, money and men formed a trilogv. flic Government, be said, would endeavour to carry out to the fullest extent a policy of finding for Empire development all the money needed, and also a policy of emigration to any Dominion willing to co-operate there-