BRITISH DUTIES

Hokitika Guardian, 1 December 1931, Page 3

BRITISH DUTIES

THE WHEAT POSITION. SATISFACTION EXPRESSED. (British Official ‘Wireless.) RUGBY, November 29. Home agricultural interests are very well pleased with the Gov’ernment’s decision to apply the principle of the quota' ito home-grown wheat of milling quality and to introduce in a few days a Bill applying tariffs to luxury agricultural imports. Legislation on the quota is to be introduced enabling the scheme to become effective for next vear't wheat crop, its object being to secure for the Home ’ farmers a certain market at an enhanced., price, subject, to a statutory maximum.

Resolutions expressing thanks to the Government have been forwarded by the Conservative Party Agricultural Committee, by ! the National Farmers’ Union and by boclies with a similar interest.

It is understood that the scheme will follow the general lines of tile quota system which was worked out by the Ministry of Agriculture under the Labour Government. The present intention to apply it is the result of a decision by a completely-united Cabinet. The system is limited, at present, to wheat in order to gain ndminstrative experience, which should assist if the principle -isf inter applied to other cereals, which might present certain complications. The’wheat millers are rationalised, and difficulties are anticipated in working the quota', . which the newspapers anticipate will be at about 15 per cent, of Home grown to 85 per cent, of imported wheat i-n flour. They estimate a rise of 10s per quarter in the British wheat prices, which would meqn under one farthing per loaf increase in the cost of the iotirp-, hI loaf.

The luxury agricultural and horticultural products which arc subject to taxes under the Bill which the Go.vernment will introduce next week, as part of Jtheir agricultural policy, are:— Fresh fruits, cherries,, currant's, goosojei.'les,' hoi-house grapes, plums and strawberries, fresh vegetables, asparagus,' beans, broccoli, cauliflowers, , carrots, chicory, cucumbers, endive lettuce, mushrooms, green peas, new potatoes, turnips, flowers, etc., cut flowers, plants in flower, bulbs, and rose trees. Tho procedure is to be similar to that appli£cL to the 1 manufactured articles, under the Abnormal Importations Bdi, and the duties are not to exceed one hundred per cent, of the value of the articles. The value of articles will be Specified by orders made by' the Minister of Agriculture.. The new Act .will operate for'twelve months.'- ' RUGBY, Novefhber. 26. • f ’At " question time in” tlitr‘ J House of iG6hiih'6\Us7' v the "Minlhtef I ‘ ! oP s>t A , gHculture (Sir' J. Gilmour) made a"- statement on the Government’s agricultural policy, in which he announced’ the decision to limit by tariffs the imports of non-essehtiai' produce, and to start a discussion with the interests concerned. With a view to an early application of the 1 principle of " the < quota, a Bill' to give effect to the first decision, will be introduced immediately, and the quota system is intended to be effective for the liext three years' crop.

Sir J. Gilmour Said that in view of the special importance'"' : and urgency of the cereal situation,-’■ the Government- would introduce legislation for a scheme by which' 7 " a'certain percentage of home-produced wheat of milling quality would'be- used by Mho tnhlers in this country. No contribution from the Exchequet - by way off subsidy would be involved. A Bill : would be introduced, directed -at a reduction, through the operation of tariffs, of imports into Britain on certain non-essen-tial agricultural and horticultural produce, which in many cases, owing to, early maturity,'- anticipated ! the’ Horne crop. ' ' -■ : " '• " • ■ FRENCH AFFECTED. SAFEGUARDING ' OF INTERESTS. PARIS, November 27. The French Ministry of •; has issued a- communique stating that France is confronted with 7 British measures that are greatly affecting allimportant part of the French exports. Therefore the - Government has decided immediately to undertake negotiations ■with a view to arriving at 7 a speedy agreement for the safeguarding oi British and French reciprocal interests. : FRANCE’S TRADE .AFFECTED; ' .PARIS, November 28. M. Rollon, French Minister of Commerce, told the Cabinet that the British tariff would affect French goods of.. a value of eight millions sterling. If the tariff were to be extended to agricultural produce, it would affect ten millions worth. REQUEST BY GERMANY.BERLIN, November 28. Germany, through her Ambassador at London, haS requested Britain to enter immediately into friendly relations regarding the position created by the new customs duties. DEARER FOOI),“ ( .. LABOUR PARTY OBJECTS. - LONDON, November 28. The .Labour Party has decided to oppose the new duties on agricultural produce.