TARIFF PROBLEM

Hokitika Guardian, 8 December 1931, Page 5

TARIFF PROBLEM

BRITAIN’S NEED. [United Press Association.—By Eleetria Telegraph.—Copyright.] LONDON, December 7. The “Daily Herald” demands the immediate opening •of negotiations with France, expressing the opinion that an Anglo-French commercial agreement is a prime need. “Herald" points out that even the Imperial Conference should not be allowed to stand in the way, as otherwise there would be six months of bitter conflict tariffs. It says that walls all over the world are getting' higher and higher. 1

Belgian delegation; . seeks understanding with Britain. LONDON. December 7. M. Hymans, the Belgian Foreign 'Secretary, and M, Van Langenhave, the • ©hgian Secretary-General of Foreign Affairs (who is is an expert on tariffs), have arrived to see Sir John 'Simon (Foreign Minister), and Mr W. C. Runcirrian (President 'of the Board of Trade). It is understood that they will review thu present political and economic plight oi Europe, and may discuss the possibility of avoiding further British duties on Belgian product, in return for a continuance of Belg’an liberal attitude towards British exports.

AGRICULTURAL POLICY. 'RUGBY, December 5.

Further discussion of the measures contemplated to meet the economic .situation (will (the proceedings in the House of Commons next week.

Befode the House rises for the Christmas recess on Friday, tile Government will make a -definite announcement of its agricultural policy, which, it 'is anticipated, will inefude the acceptance not only of' the principle of fthb quota for. home grown wheat, but the quota of wheat imported from !he Dominion, and used by British millers. This will leave the way clear for discussions, regarding details with the Dominions, before the 'lmperial Economic Conference at Ottawa in July.

THE NEW TARIFFS. ■RUGBY, December 5

Tb" Government has allocated time in the 'House of Commons for a debate on Wednesday, on the application of emergency duties under the Abnormal Importations Act, ..to imports of iron, steel, and cotton goods, particularly ; cotton, piece-goods. Tho tariff problem was referred to by Mr Neville Chamberlain (Chancellor of the Exchequer), at Newport, when he frankly welcomed the desire expressed by other co untie Os. for a friendly mutual discussion on tariffs, but no binding agreement could be concluded- until after the Ottawa Conference. Britain must claim the right exercised by other countries to her own interest. The recent French surtax on British exports was peculiarly damaging to the British coal industry, because it did not apply to some of the principal" competitors, quoting their prices in depreciated sterkng, and it came on top of the strict import rationing system. The British Government had made strong representations to Frauce, and he trusted that they would very shortly receive due consideration. He saw no reason why the depreciation in the value ot sterling should be substantial or prolonged, but a satisfactory settlement of reparations would do more than anything else to remove the nervousness now so widespread over the world.