PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 105, 3 May 1919, Page 7

PREFERENTIAL TRADE.

NO FOOD TAXES. CHANCELLORS DISCLAIMER. ' ! LOKDOM May 2. \ Sir Donald Macl.ean, resuming the i debate on the Budget in the House of : '. Commons, said the great spending departments, winch were spreading devastation throughout the country, must be \ : curbed. Mr. JciM'ph Chiiniberluin had said complete Imperial preference would inevitably entail tuxes on food. Mr. Austen Chamberlain, Chancellor of the Exchequer, interposed that the Gov- j prnment did not intend to impose new food tuxes. (Mr Donald, continuing, said a great trade with the Dominions could not be developed without granting preference on corn, meat, and wool, lie regretted that he must light the proposal. Captain L. C. M. S. Amery, I'nderSecretary for the Colonies, defended the Government's proposal. This was not a direct issue between Kree Trade and | l'rotection. It was a question whether we j regarded the Kmpire as a unit or, whether we were willing t<> help to promote intercourse, understanding, and development, thus strengthening the great Dominions. It was a worthy policy to carry out irrespective of old party divisions. We were entering on a new period in the Empire's history, and ought to deal with industrial, social, and economic problems in a new spirit aiming at wider unity.—(A. and X.Z. Cable.) NEW LIQUOR DUTIES. LONDON" May 1. Brewers and distillers are organising opposition to the Budget to defeat the proposal to increase the spirit duties. The Labour party intends to move amendments demanding a levy on capital, the continuance of the excess profits tax, withdrawal of Imperial preference, and the raising of the ineomo tax exemption limit to £250.—(A. and 2CZ.)