BRITAIN’S TARIFF

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1931, Page 2

BRITAIN’S TARIFF

AGRICULTURAL ASPECT. PROTECTION V. PREFERENCE. (United Press Association.—By Electrn Telegraph.—Copyright.] LONDON, December 7. In the House of Commons, Sir J. Gilmour was asked *a question suggesting that South African and Australian eggs are selling as new laid. He said that the country of origin had to be marked on the eggs, enabling consumers to decide whether they were describable as new laid. Sir J. Gilmour informed questioners that lie could not make a. furtner statement about the wheat quota question, pending the negotiations of all interests' concerned. He would not *o able to make a statement before the recess.

Air Cruicksliank: Will you consider introducing a resolution approving the principle of the quota in order to facilitate negotiations?

There was no answer. Air AfacDonald, in answer to a question by Air Thomas, said he would make a statement on the application of the quota to Canadian and Australian wheat before tire recess. “There is difference between tariff as necessary ill dealing with an emergency, and 'its imposition, as a deliberate settled change of policy,” said Earl Grey ot the Eighty Club dinner. “If any section of the Conservatives succeeds wi pressing that change, it will destroy the Government’s national character.” To regulate Britain’s trade with Russia, by the amount she buys in Britain, is virtually the recommendation of the Associated Chambers of Commerce Committee. The recommendation points out that Russia’s trade is now nearly pre war value, but not proportionate to the increase in British purchases. It dismisses anxiety concerning butter dumping, but admits that in a few years, Russia may be one of the world’s grain producers, and be able to undersell others, if the present policy is allowed to continue.

The Hull Chamber of Commerce lias decided to urge the Government to recognise the need for some reciprocal arrangement in view of the difficulties by manufacturers in obtaining payments for exports, owing to fifteen foreign Governments restricting export currencies.

It was pointed out that a Bradford firm exported cloth to Hungary, and was unable to obtain payment, although the money was deposited in their name in the Hungarian bank, the Government refusing to permit it to be taken over, and even rejecting the offer to take Hungarian products, in lieu of currency.

The “Daily Herald” urges a policy of international agreement on the tariff question. Referring to the approaching Disarmament Conference, it says: Similarly tlio time is ripe for an all round consideration of political and commercial problems, reparations, war debts and tariffs, which equally .with armaments endanger stability and the security qf all countries.

REBUFF TO FRANCE, MODIFICATION DISAVOWED, RUGBY, I>ecember 7.

As anticipated, the postponement of the visit of the French trade delegation to London, was announced yesterday, in Paris, The announcement stated that the British Government, while accepting the principles of a friendly conversation on the tariff question, declared that immediate would he premature as no modifications could, in the present conditions be made in the new British tariffs, The French Minister of Commerce in a statement says; The French public were, painfully surprised by the outspoken criticism by Mr Runcjman of the surtax imposed by France on British goods, He denies that the surtax discriminates against Britain, as they apply to other countries as we]], and the decree sanctioning them was promulgated before the fall in the value of sterling,

■A s pointed out by Mr Bondman, on Friday, the decree was actually pur into force on November 14, just before the first- announcement of the new British duties. It applies in varying degrees, to a series of countries with depreciated currencies, including Britain, Australia, India, Mexico, Denmark, Sweden, Argentine, Uruguay, and Norway. The maximum of 15 per cent, surtax is imposed on imports from Britain, Australia, Denmark, Sweden and Norway. The “Daily Telegraph” notes in respect to coal, that surtax applies to Britain alone because she is the only country in the category which exports coal to France.

The “Morning Post” says: The British Government has been compelled to take emergency measures which- being only for six months, will no doubt be succeeded by a permanent tariff on a lower scale. In the. meantime, if France and England realise the suffering on, the one side and the necessity on the other, it will help them to mutual forbearance.