OTTAWA TARIFFS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1932, Page 5

OTTAWA TARIFFS

BILL DISCUSSED

COMMONS CONTINUE DEBATE.

(United Press Association—By Electric

Telegraph—Copyright)

LONDON, November 1. In lie . House of Commons, on committee on the Ottawa Tariffs Bill, Mr Rhys Davies moved that the restrictions on the importations of frozen and chilled meat should also fix tlie retail prices.

Mr Rurgin, replying for the Government, said provision already had been made against insufficiency of supplies." r i lie Board of Trade hoped the meat industry itself would realise it was better to submit regulations of its own than to have the Government regulations forced upon it. Mr Leopold Aniery said the whole meat decision at Ottawa reflected little Credit on the Govez-nment’s foresight and courage. They should have concerned themselves primarily with the defence of British agriculture, which, for such help as it received, had to thank the Dominions rather than the British representatives. Mr N. Chamberlain said he Wfl9 convinced the Ottawa Agreements were the only way ta secure stability in the livestock industry in Britain.

Earl Winterton said .the British farmers were facing a situation graver than any that had existed for a cent try.

It was the common talk 0 f the lobby, he said, that the only reason why the Government had adopted the meat .quota system, instead of a tariff, was the opposition of one of the members of the Cabinet to tariffs. Cries: “Who is lie?” Earl V^interton: “He is a member one of the Liberal Parties.”

Mr Percy Harris then said that he would reveal this Minister’s identity. He was Mr W. C. Runciman, who had given a pledge to his constituents that be would permit a quota instead of an honest duty. Mr Harris said the English and Scottish farmers were on the brink of collapse. Quick action was needed to assist their,’ agricultural interests in connection with the live stock.

The amendment was defeated by 302 votes to 65.