A PARTY SPLIT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 53, Issue 171, 3 May 1933, Page 5

A PARTY SPLIT

CONSERVATIVES IN BRITAIN. ANGLO-GERMAN TRADE TREATY. PROTECTION OF INDUSTRIES, (United Press Association--Copyright). LONDON, May 2. When the Anglo-German Trade Agreement was discussed by the House of Commons in committee it was strongly attacked by a group of Conservatives, who moved tlie rejection on tlie ground that inadequate concessions had been obtained. The extent of the revolt lias caused surprise. Fifty members voted against the Government and about one hundred others abstained from voting. Not only the German, tut the Danish and Argentine agreements were equally criticised by different sections. Opening the discussion, the President of the Board of Trade (Mr Walter Runciman), said he estimated that the increase in the supplies of British coal that would enter Germany under the agreement would provide direct work throughout the year for 3800 miners, who would otherwise be unemployed, while the number of workpeople in various industries affected by the relaxation of duties on German goods would bo considerably less than 1800. The agreement was limited in character, and was not an vattempt to deal with the tariff problem, which would shortly be discussed with the German Government. During tliG elebato which followed, the agreement was criticised by Mr Arthur Greenwood (Labour, Wakefield), Sir Austen Chamberlain (Conservative, Birmingham West), Mr L. ,S Amery (Conservative, Birmingham, Sparkbrook), and Mr P. J. Hannon (Conservative, Birmingham, Moseley). In order to give more time to ascertain -and agree upon the effect of the changes proposed, Sir Austen motet to report progress. Sir Austen’s attack was based on the, ground that Mr Runciman, in the interests of coal, had almost lightly thrown overboard the tariff advantage recently given to small industries m the Birmingham districts, which were just, preparing to take full advantage of the new tariffs, and in some cases had built new factories for the purpose, when Mr Runciman undertook to ieduce their protection. The other Birmingham members contended that the coal advantage obtained only gave Britain rights previously enjoyed under the quota agreement which Germany had since abrogated . ~ i . Alt Runciman, replying, said it had been made clear during the tariff collates that the new duties were Intended to serve as a bargaining power, which was an essential part of .the Government’s policy. The speakei claimed that he had’driven the hardest bargain obtainable. The advantages to the coal industry, he said, outweighed the disadvantages to the eight or ten small industries affected, v which would still retain reasonable protection. The Government had to have the confidence of the House, or negotiations for tradeagreements were impossible. Sir Austen Chamberlain’s motion was defeated by 269 votes to 80. A number .of Conservatives, lieacied by Mr. Amery, Brigadier-General Sir Page-Croft, Mr Hannon and Mr G. K. Pcto, then tabled the motion for the rejection of the agreement.