M'KENNA DUTIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 114, 15 May 1924, Page 5

M'KENNA DUTIES.

CENSURE MOTION LOST.

DEBATE IW THE HOUSE.

(By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.)

LONDON, May 14.

The House of Commons was- crowded to-day, when the debate was taken on the censure motion, moved by Mr. Stanley Baldwin, Leader of the Unionists. This was to the effect that it is inexpedient to remove the McKenna duties amid the present distress in Britain.

In moving the motion, Mr. Baldwin said that British motor cars, known on the Australian market, were superseded by American cars during the war, and it. was still doubtful whether Britain could recover the market. The decision to remove the McKenna duties would 'make it still more difficult. Furthermore, Canada benefited by the preference given her under those duties, and the production of Canadian motor cars had increased largely, aided by American capital invested in Canada, in order to get" the benefit of the preference. He feared that the Government had dealt a blow at the Canadian trade which, coupled with the Government's action in regard to Imperial preference, would make the Dominion less responsive to any idea of reciprocity. He suggested an impartial inquiry into the question of the McKenna duties. Mr. Philip Snowden, Chancellor of the Exchequer," said the motor trade had ample notice of the change in conditions, which had aroused much— opposition. Attacking the agitation which he alleged had been carried on by the employers among the workers, Mr. Snowden asked what good the McKenna duties had done to the motor trade, seeing that 75 per cent of the British manufacturers were in the hands of the brinks. The' exports in 1922 were, he said, lower than in 1913. During the same period the imports doubled. The effect of the duties had ceased to be protective, because British manufacturers specialised in a British type c f <••". rn '° «rl««1i motor car trade" would find it would not wane protection when it had got rid of its watered capital and put its affairs on a sound financial basis. There could be no compromise over the withdrawal of jtbe duties.

The motion wns defeated by 317 votes to 252. Nine Liberals supported the motion. No Labour members voted against the Government.—(A. and N.Z.)