119

A.—6a

TARIFF PREFERENCE. Summary of Proposals by His Majesty's Government. As regards Imperial preference, under the United Kingdom Customs tariff, to Empire goods, His Majesty's Government intimated that they intended to submit to Parliament the following proposals : — Dried Fruit. At present dried figs, raisins, and plums (includes apricots) are dutiable at the rate of 10s. 6d. per hundredweight if from foreign countries, and enjoy, if of Empire origin, a preference of one-sixth— i.e., of Is. 9d. per hundredweight. It is proposed to admit these goods free of duty from the Empire, so that Empire raisins, figs, and plums will enjoy a preference of 10s. 6d. per hundredweight. Currants. At present dried currants are dutiable at the rate of 2s. per hundredweight, and enjoy a preference: of one-sixth, which on the existing duty only amounts to 4d. His Majesty's Government are: prepared to offer free admission to Empire currants and to consider what increase; in the eluty on foreign currants may be necessary to make the preference effective, such increase to come into force at a future date to be: agreed upon. Other Dried Fruit. At present there is no duty on any other dried fruit, but whilst continuing to admit such Empire dried fruit free, His Majesty's Government would propose to impose: a eluty of 10s. 6d. per hundredweight on such, foreign dried fruit (e.g., apples, pears, and peaches) as the Dominion representatives may consider of interest to their trade. Other Preserved Fruits. Preserved fruits other than those mentioned above are: not dutiable save in respect of sugar contents, if any. It is proposed in addition to any such duty on the sugar contents to impose an all-round duty of ss. per hundredweight on the principal forms of preserved fruit not at present dutiable, except fruit-pulp for jam-manufacture', which will remain free of duty. All such fruit will be aelmitted free from the Empire. Sugar. At present sugar is dutiable according to a scale dependent on the polarization of the: sugar with a basis rate of 255. Bd. per hundredweight on fully refined sugar. Empire sugar enjoys a preference of one-sixth, or 4s. 3|d. per hundredweight, being nearly a £d. a pound on. refined sugar. It is not possible at present to offer an increase in this preference, but His Majesty's Government are ready to guarantee that if the duty is reduced the preference shall for a period of ten years not fall with it, but be maintained at its present rate of nearly £d. per pound so long at least as the duty on foreign sugar does not fall below that level. Tobacco. At present the duty on tobacco varies according to kind, being, of course, higher on cigars than on unmanufactured tobaccocs. On the: latter it is about Bs. 2d. per pound, on which the Empire enjoys a preference of one-sixth, or say, on raw tobacco of Is. 4d. His Majesty's Government woulel be prepared to adopt tho course proposed in regarel to svgar — i.e., to stabilize the existing preference for a term of years ; or, alternatively, they are prepared to increase the preference to one-quarter — i.e., to about 2s. on unmanufactured tobacco at present rates, the amount of the preference, of course, varying as the basis varies. As a result of consultation with the oversea representatives concerned, it has been decided to adopt the second alternative; — i.e., to raise the preference from one-sixth to one-quarter. Wine. The proposals are — (1.) To double the existing preference of 2s. per gallon on the duty of 6s. per gallon on wines of a strength exceeding 30° and not exceeding 42°. The rate of duty on such wines coming from the Empire would thus become 2s. per gallon. (2.) To increase from 30 per cent, to 50 per cent, the preference on the surtax of 12s. 6d. per gallon on sparkling wine. Raw Apples. It is proposed to levy a duty of ss. per hundredweight on raw apples eif foreign origin, and to admit raw apples from the Empire free of duty as at present. Canned Salmon and Canned Lobster, Crayfish, and Crabs. It is proposed that a duty of 10s. per hundredweight shall be imposed on foreign canned salmon and canned lobster, crayfish, and crabs, and that these goods shall be admitted free of duty from the Empire.