TORY REVOLT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 102, 3 May 1933, Page 7

TORY REVOLT.

Surprising Attitude in German

Trade Debate. AGREEMENT OPPOSED. LONDON, May 2. The three Birmingham members in the House of Commons strongly attacked the trade agreement with Germany on the ground that Mr. Runciman, in the interests of the coal industry, had almost lightly thrown overboard the tariff advantages so recently given to small industries in the Birmingham district. The owners of these industries were just preparing to take full advantage of the new tariffs and in some cases had built new factories for the purpose when Mr. Runciman undertook to reduce their protection. The members contended that the coal advantage obtained only gave Britain rights she had previously enjoyed under the quota agreement which Germany had broken since. Mr. Runciman, President of the Board of Trade, in replying, said it had been made clear during the tariff debates that the new duties were intended to serve as a bargaining power which was an essential part of the Government's tariff policy. He had driven the hardest bargain obtainable. The advantages to the coal industry outweighed the, disadvantages to the eight or ten small industries affected which still would retain reasonable protection. The Government must have the confidence of the House or negotiations for trade' agreements would be impossible. Sir Austen Chamberlain's motion was defeated by 209 votes to 80. A number of Conservatives, headed by Mr. Amery, Sir H. Page Croft (Bournemouth), Mr. Hannon and Sir Basil Peto (Barnstaple, Devon), tabled a motion for the rejection of the agreement on the ground that inadequate concessions were obtained under its provisions. The extent of the Conservative revolt against the agreement came as a surprise. Fifty voted against the Government and about 100 others abstained from yoting. Not only the German agreement, but the Danish and Argentine were equally criticised by different sections.