THE AMERICAN TARIFF.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19691, 7 August 1929, Page 17

THE AMERICAN TARIFF.

TO THE EpiTOR OT PKBSB. Sir, —I was pleased to read Signor Mussolini's remarks in your paper OB American Protection and the economic future of Europe, At last somebody has had the courage to come out and warn the people against the definite result of a Buicilal practice. What applies to Europe applies to England, and more particularly applies to New Zea laud. It ia a pity we hadn't a few of the Mussolini type in our Government, who would deal with this question in the proper manner, since ot existence depends upon it. Here we are, MBd iiifj millions of pounds to America every year in payment for motor-cars, tyres, iiml petrol, while America refuses to take any of our produce by building tariff walls against us. Prom our point of view could anybody imagine anything mord fatuous! Of course, when he Ret down to facts, we find that our own Government : s somewhat to blame, because "so-called" Canadian cars and tyres are allowed to come into this country on a British tariff. Canada doesn't make cars, but America makes tlieai in Canada and defeats our Customs Department. Why should these American manufacturers enjoy the preference that is intended to be extended to England—and yet they do! It seems to me that somebody at the head ot" affairs is pretty weak-kneed. This very unwise trading has gone on too long, and if the British Empire haa been replaced by America in the eoro mercial world we have only ourselves to blame. We ride on American tyres, in American cars driven by American petrol and lubricated by American oil; we shave with American razors, speak through American telephone*, and then wonder why England is poor. Eng land's loss through the war was America's gain, and further, she P a y® America £loo,o<\ per day for the next sixtv two years as a war debt. The point that hurts is that while England takes over 84 per cent, of ear produce each year America takes practically nothing, and yet we send all these* millions of pounds to- America, thereby helping her to build battleships that may even, some day, be osed against us. lam not a scaremonger, but I lived long enough in America to know the attitude towards England of many of her people. Some people will tell oa that English cars are not suited to the condition. That's all rubbish. If it were true five years ago it is not true to-day. I drive an English car more than 25,000 miles each year, so I ought to know. Let us buy from those who buy from ns, and further let na protect our'own Empire.—Tours, etc., J. DA VIES. August 6th, 1920.