THE JAPANESE TARIFF

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 91, 26 July 1910, Page 5

THE JAPANESE TARIFF

PENALISING BRITISH GOODS. By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright Received July 25, 7.45 p.m. London, Julf 25. Fresh details of the Japanese tariff, operating in July 1911, s'how the average increase of duties on British goods to be 6 per centum, compared with 50 per centum in the case of all other countries. The Times, commenting on the matter, says the tariff is inspired simply by a desire to do what is best for Japan. Britain exports mainly tliose things that the Japanese are anxious to manufacture themselves. Hence the tariff is very prejudicial to manufac-] turers in Lancashire and Yorkshire. Altogether it is estimated tlie tariff will exclude three-quarters to a million pounds' worth of British goods. Meanwhile Baron Koinura, Minister for Foreign Affairs, lias intimated that any negotiations with foreign countries for the purpose of mitigating the effects of the tariff must be based on the principle of Japan's negotiating oa equal terms, giving concessions to any country for concessions of equal value. BRITAIN'S SUPREME ADVANTAGE. Received July 25, 12.30 a.m. London, July 25. The Daily 'Chronicle, referring to Baron Komura's recent statement mat Britain, ha.ving what was called a "ireetrade policy," there was no room for a convention with her, states the remark was initended rather a panegyric than otiierwke. The paper continues: "Our supreme advantage as manufacturers is that we are able to buy materials freely, and therefore can produce more cheaply than our rivals. This inestimable boon is one of the secrets of our supremacy. And must we, because we are not allowed to sell freely, refuse to buy freely? Our export trade is actually larger and more varied tfoan ever before."