TORY ATTACK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 262, 5 November 1930, Page 7

TORY ATTACK.

UNEMPLOYED ISSUE.

Solution of British Troubles is v Protection.

COMMONS DEBATE.

(United P.A.—Electric Telegraph— Copyright)

LONDON, November 4. In the House of Commons yesterday Mr. Neville Chamberlain moved the Conservative amendment to the Address-in-Eeply, regretting the failure of the Government to propose ■ any measure adequate to deal with the crisis in "the industrial, agricultural and commercial situation, or to check the continued growth of unemployment. Mr. Chamberlain condemned the Government for its inaction in connection with unemployment. He' said it was like a frightened puppy glued to a kennel, snarling and snapping, but afraid to come out. The Conservatives had a plan consisting of the immediate protection in one form or another of the home market and the ultimate attainment of the economic unity of the whole Empire. The speaker said he was convinced that tariffs were the easiest and the least disturbing form of protecting the home market. Although it might not be applicable to some articles the protection of the home market was the surest way of helping the' workers. The President of the Board of Trade, Mr. W. Graham, in replying, said the situation in Britain was grave, but--21,000,000 people throughout Europe were receiving public relief, the majority of whom were in protectionist countries. The Government could not deal with the dumping of German and Russian wheat without renouncing commercial treaties. Remembering Britain's dependence on foreign countries she would be placed at a disadvantage if she entered into the game of tariffs with retaliatory tariffs. Voluntary Preferences. Referring •to the offer of preferences made by Mr. R. B. Bennett, Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. Graham said all the Dominions were protecting their own manufactures and none were likely to agree drastically to reduce the tariffs on articles of the greatest importance to British manufacturers. They must remember their foreign trade; obligations. Apart from tariffs much could be done by what could be described as _ voluntary preferences within the Empire. The Minister instanced Empire rationalisation, bulk purchases, import boards, and improved marketing. These, he said, were being carefully analysed and discussed by the Government, which had not entered into the Imperial Conference empty-handed, though it might have suffered from failure- to advertise its wares. The greatest contribution , Britain could make in the voluntary field was a drastic reorganisation of her great industrres—such as coal, iron, steel and- cotton —to meet the new conditions of world commerce. Sir Herbert Samuel (Liberal) said the Government's lack of activity in dealing with real distress made it difficult to co-operate with it. However, the Liberals saw the real meaning of the amendment. Therefore they would not support it. *