PREFERENCE.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18347, 2 April 1925, Page 9

PREFERENCE.

SOUTH AFRICA'S POLICY.

FOREIGNERS JUBILANT

'»r CABLE-rRESS ASSOCIATION —COPTRIGHT.) (RBCTER'S TEI.EGBA2IS.J CAPE TOWN, March 31. The Hertzog Government has decided to adopt a new tariff under which Imperial Preference will be abolished. The "Cape Argus" says it is an open secret that the Board of Trade and Industries reported adversely on Imperial Preference. Foreign trade representatives have been approaching South African merchants urging tliem to accept new foreign agencies on the ground that the Government's newtariff policy will revolutionise the existing commercial situation. These gentlemen express themselves jubilantly as to their effect in destroying British preeminence in South African trade. The "Argus" declares it is impossible to reconcile the abolition of preference with the policy of "close cooperation with our best friends" which General Hertzog wisely laid down on accession to office. It could only be regarded by the English-speaking population as a covert blow to the Imperial connexion. Moreover, it is essentially unfair because those responsible for the change know that Great Britain cannot haggle with the Dominions. What she concedes to one she must concede, to all. Moreover, the spirit of goodwill in Great Britain to which South Africa owes so much of its success on the British markets will be seriously imperilled.

The "Cape Times" declares that the abolition of preference will be regarded throughout the Union as an affront to the British section. There is no possible excuse or palliation for such wanton design, which swill undoubtedly be interpreted as a proof of tho domination of this Government by reckless and ruthless auti-Britislv sentiment.

ANTI-IMPERIAL MOVE. CONCERN IN BRITAIN. (AUSTRALIAN AND X.Z CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received April Ist, 7.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 1.

The menace to Empire trade involved in South Africa's reported' pending decision is again receiving prominence in the morning papers, and questions are being framed in Parliament. It is pointed out that South Africa cannot expect to share in the £1,000,000 marketing grant if she proposes to carry out a policy which not only is antiImperial but pro-foreign. The "Morning Post" says the present South African preference on British goods is substantial, and often makes the difference between keeping and losing a contract and keeping or losing South African trade, which is of vast importance. If South Africa changes her policy, wo undoubtedly will lose heavily. We. hope the change will be averted, but we are bound to say that a country with so vacillating and at times so shortsighted a fiscal policy as ours <can hardly expected to keep Imperial Preference. Mr W. A. S. Hewins, chairman of the Empire Development Union, commenting on the proposals, says: "The movement is bound to spread. Our exports of manufactured goods to foreign countries decreased last year, but our Empire trade more than set off the decrease. Without the Empire we would be nowhere." He understood that twenty-six countries had applied to Australia for reciprocity. The Dominions were also negotiating among themselves. "We are back to the movement developed before 1911, after which there was a check,' lie said. "Britain is at present showing no disposition to join in. Therefore, the movement away from Imperial Preference and towards general reciprocity will extend." - Mr Hewins expressed the opinion that the gravity of fhe position for Great Britain could not be over-estimated.