A BLOW TO BRITAIN

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 72, 21 April 1909, Page 3

A BLOW TO BRITAIN

CABLE NEWS

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PHILIPPINES CLOSED TO OIK TBADK. BRITISH SHIPPING SHUT OUT. KUIX OF BRITISH ENTERPRISE. AMERICA'S BROKEN PLKIXIES. Received 21, 0.35 a.m. London, April 20. The Daily Mail makes the announcement that the Washington Government intends to close the l'liilippine market to other nations by. establishing free trade between the Philippines and America, to the exclusion of other States. This means, says the Mail, the ruin of our extensive and growing British trade, and is regarded with special resentment because of American specific assurances in 1800 that no changes would lie made injurious to our old established commerce. ] An export duly was recently imposed on all Philippine hemp, and a full rebate given on all sent to America. Till then, 1-ondon was the centre of the hemp trade. America has also declared that all trade between America and the Philippines is coastal, and that none but iships of American register could participate therein. Till then, trade was largely in British ships. There are twenty British firms hi Manila alone, the largest import and export firms are British, the leading banks are British, the railways are BrFtish, and many of the most'important enterprises are backed by British capital.