TARIFF POLICY

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1932, Page 5

TARIFF POLICY

THE BRITISH AIM TREATIES WITH ALL COUNTRIES (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, Oc. 27. Hon. W. C. Runciman (President of the Board of Trade), in closing the second reading debate on ,t|he Ottawa Agreements Bill said that Britain’s recent import duties had had no effect on imports. Not a single European country had made a complaint. The British motor-car trade to New Zealand and India was benefiting considerably. Discussions with Australia were proceeding.

"Many members,’’ he said, "have i suggested that the Ottawa /agreements would cripple us in making agreements with other countries, but instead we are already negotiating with five countries, and are ready to treat with the whole world, but we cannot deal with all of them at once. Britain as a market and a centre of finance, iB a world force, and, must remain the most important and vital part of the Empire,

"Her policy, as a creditor country, with investments inside and outside, is to cultivate commercial and financial freedom and activity, -.but tins is limited by the policy of the rest of the world and the Dominions. We must build on the foundation of the Ottawa Agreements the prosperity of the whole Empire.” The Bill was read a second time by 346 votes to 77.