THE PHILIPPINES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9424, 21 April 1909, Page 5

THE PHILIPPINES.

AMERICAN PROTECTIVE METHODS. United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. London, April 20. The Daily Mail, commenting on the announcement that the Washington Government intends to close the Philippine markets to other nations by establishing free trade between the Philippines and America, to the exclusion of ether countries, states that this means ruin to the extensive and growing British trade, and shows special resentment because of the American specific ‘assurances in 1899 that no change would he made that might he injurious to our oldestablished commerce.

An export duty was recently imposed on Philippine hemp, full rebate being given on all sent to America. Till then London was the centre of the hemp trade.

America also declare* 1 that all trade between America and the Philippines was coastal, and none bet ships of American register could participate therein. Till then the trade was largely carried on by British ships.

There are twenty'Brltish firms in Manila alone, the largest import and export firms being British, the leading banks British, the railway British, and many of the most important enterprises backed by British capital.