U.S. TARIFF SLASH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 99, 29 April 1933, Page 9

U.S. TARIFF SLASH.

NEW ROOSEVELT BILL.

Authority Sought to Override

Commission.

ACCORD WITH FRANCE. (United r.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 11.GO a.m.) WASHINGTON, April 28. The conversations that President Roosevelt has been holding with representatives of other Governments eanie to an end temporarily to-day when lie bade Mr. R. B. Bennett good-bye on the steps of the "White House executive offices.

An understanding between France and the United States on the problems of the world economic recovery was announced on Friday by President Roosevelt and M. Herriot. "We have noted with deep satisfaction," said Mr. Roosevelt and M. Herriot, "that our two Governments are looking with like purpose at the main problems of the world and the objectives of the World Economic Conference."

M. Herriot states that a FrancoAmerican tariff truce may be arranged soon. It is stated that France and the United States also reached an understanding on the principles of disarmament and security in the concluding conversations.

President Roosevelt and M. Herriot also announced that the war debts discussion -would lie continued in Paris and Washington. They announced that they had had a frank and friendly exchange of views on this issue, expressing the belief that the talk will undoubtedly help in determining the steps to be taken hereafter. The statement was issued as they met for a final conference before M. Herriot headed homeward this afternoon. Dictatorship ia Tariffs. It is known that President Roosevelt has virtually completed work on the bill to empower him to negotiate reciprocal tariff agreements in which the protective wall around the United States will be lowered to facilitate 'foreign trade, especially with Canada. The tentative draft is understood to permit him to lower rates as much as 50 per cent.

The flexible provision in the existing tariff law gives this same authority upon the recommendation of the Tariff Commission. The new proposal, however, would not involve Tariff Commission action. Authority over the tariff is sought by the President as part of tho world economic programme being advanced in the present negotiations. The bill is now in the hands of experts, and the President will probably send it to Capitol Hill next week.

Before then he and Mr. R. B. Bennett, Prime Minister of Canada, it was expected, would go more deeply into the trade relationships involving tariff concessions.