SECOND READING

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 76, 20 November 1931, Page 5

SECOND READING

• (British Official Wireless)

duties to protect british industries in the f" home market ? « . ' ■_ i f ' 1 EMPIRE PRODUCTS EXEMPT

RUGBY, Wednesday. The second reading of the Abnormal Importations Customs Duties Bill was moved in the House of Commons to-night by Major L. Hore Belisha, : Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Trade, who answered the opposition arguments on constitutional grounds against the emergency powers' conferred by the: measure with the statement that it- was not introdticed for the purpose of taxation, but to keep goods out. Any taxes levied would be in the nature of fines or compensations exacted at ports. The Bill is intended to shelter those . engaged in British industry from sporadic and irregular importations. The remaining stages of the Bill in the House of Commons will be taken to-morrow. It is understood the maehinery for ^iving effect to the Bill has been set up by the Board of Trade, and is ready to be put into operation at the shortest notice. The duties fixed under the Bill will be charged in addition to any other duties chargeable on the article affected. No articles produeed in the Empire are chargeable with the dumping duty The Bill does not apply to certain articles imported for exportation af-

ter transit through the United Kingdom or by way of transhipment, nor does it apply to imported argricultural produce. The Bill was reacl a second time by a majority of 329. The voting was: — Ayes 376 Noes 47 The President of the Board of Trade, Mr. Walter Runciman, stated that the Government is now working on a solution of the agricultural pro- S blem. |