EMPIRE’S GOAL

Hokitika Guardian, 4 January 1932, Page 4

EMPIRE’S GOAL

TWO PATHS TO PREFERENCE. (United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, January 2. Certain rules for the discussion of fpvpp 0,.0 .slD r P p ~VO r l Richard Webb in a letter to “The Times. ms i.Uos ,■ "iniU’l u rio£...C the Empire, which is common property, and "Don’t whine about sacrifice, since none is wanted.’’ There are two paths to preference, lie says—one starting with the sign, "i oad closed pending Dominion offers. This, .though favoured by British statesmen has never proved, practicable. The Dominions feel that we are e.Lnjidv in tlia.r debt. Our post-wai concessions seem far from balancing their continuous preferences. Thus, Australia and Canada might regard the wheat quota as merely ' a belated instalment. The second path is .the one blazed by Canada and well-trodden by the sister Dominions. It starts with tbo sign: “To National Tariff—To Preference the same way.” By following it we should establish a tariff meeting our domestic needs, wiith general duties applicable to all countries which are not subject to except ttonal treatment, and with a preferential tariff applicable to all-parts of thu Empire. ■- Thus, wo should reaph the goal of effective reciprocity by a certified path and avoid preliminary .bargaining, . with its risk’ and friction and failure.