MINISTER'S ATTACK

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 141, 6 February 1932, Page 3

MINISTER'S ATTACK

(Press. Assn.

EFFECT ON FOODSTUFFS

— By Telegraph — Copyright).

Rec. Feb. 5., 7 p.m. LONDON^ Friday. Sir Herbert Samuels, Secretary for State and Home / , Affairs • said Government d'd not go to the country pledged to :tariffs. It only undertook to consider every remedy for tho adverse balance of trade, including tariffs, without prejudiee. The Chancellor, Mr. Neville Chamberlain had stated that the case- was not one for temporarily redressing the balance of trade, but a permanent scientific system of prqteetion. It proposed to tax 100 per cent. of the imports in the hope to exclude five per cent. six per cent. and> ten, per cent. of the. total. Not. moi*e, than six per cent. of the taxed food stuffs would be excluded, and four or five per cent. of the raw materials, and ! it was possible ten per cent. of the manufactured. The scheme must be permanent, because it would be the basis of bargain and arrangements with the 'Dominions at the Ottawa Conference. It was a serious thing to. tajf foodr stuffs in view of the present poverty of the people with 2,500,000 unemployed. ...... ,r., Prices had not risen since the departure from the gold standard. Nearly half the importations of flour, butter, cheese and eggs, twothirds of the country's rice, fourfifths of condensed milk and margarine came from foreign countries and would be taxed. If for these things they could obtain i*eal Empire free trade with full entry of their manufactures to the Dominions, the ipatter would deserve consideration, but nobody anticipated this policy. Only the Beglnning The proposed 10 per cent. would only be the beginning. The Advisory Committee would be empowered to increase the duties and they would be forced into the ranks of protectionist countries. Colonel Wedgewood-Benn said the effeet of the tariff would be an appreciation of the sterling, which would injure exports. The Government driven by Lord Beaverbrook and Company had taken another step on the road to ruin. Sir Herbert Samuel's dramatic attack incensed Conservativ.es. - The spectadle of a Minister assailing the Government's policy is unprecedented. - Some Conservatives :declared that Sir Herbert Samuel had gone too far and must resign. The 'Times" suggests that the instanee will be overlooked if the jneasure is not further hampered.