PROPOSED PREFERENCES.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 270, 12 November 1923, Page 5

PROPOSED PREFERENCES.

UXTUE IMMEDIATE Tt.TiT.TET. CANADA CHIEF GAUTEBLOXDON, November 11. Inquiries among I-ondon mertehante handling Australian produce reTeal little enthusiasm about the Government's preference proposals. They are -welcomed as B step in the right direction, but they do not appear likely to dr> much to benefit Australia. The pro- ■ posed duty on foreign apples, for inI stance, will not be much use, for wken I Australian and New Zealand apples arrive they have the market practically to themselves, except for a few belated Californians, usually held over in case early Australian arrivals are immature, las unfortunately often happens. The duty of a halfpenny per lb is hardly likely to prevent thie competitionCanada -will undoubtedly benefit from the imposition of this duty, for its season la concurrent with the Californian. Importers of Californian apples are already up in arm against the proposal, and meetings are beiii£ held next week with a view to organising opposition. In wine, tea, tie new preference caitnot help Australia much at present. Importers point out that the qua.-.iity of wine above 30 per cent alcoholic strength now imported is almost negligible, and even if tie new preference induces increased production, it will be several years before any considerable quantity can be exported.— (A. and N.Z. Cable.)