BRITISH TARIFF.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20412, 5 December 1931, Page 15

BRITISH TARIFF.

EFFECT ON FOREIGN / COUNTRIES. NEW SITUATION CREATED. (BRITISH OrriCllL WIRILJCS*.) RUGBY, December 3. The Government assurance, given in the House of Commons, that no fiscal engagements of a binding character would be entered into with foreign countries of a nature likely to prejudice the Abnormal Importations Act or any future arrangemeuts with the rest of the Empire, is commented on to-day. The newspapers welcome indications that the leading Protectionist countries, which could not be induced a year ago to consider the British proposals for a tariff £ruce, now desire to discuss tariff questions It is pointed out that Great Britain's exports have suffered considerably from high tariff walls, which in part were responsible for forcing Great Britain off the gold standard, and the present reconsideration of fiscal policy. "The Times" says: "The greatest satisfaction will be felt in this country at any prospect of Protectionist countries even contemplating the possibility of a more liberal policy, and that they are dispwsed to take into, some account the interests of other countries, including Great Britain, in drawing up Customs schedules That change had to come in time, for it was plainly impossible for the world to go on much longer as at present, with every country endeavouring to export much and import as little as it can—an irrational system which, so far, has been able to maintain itself largely by the existence of an open British inarket. "Great Britain is now forced, by the danger to her own economic stability. to close this safety valve, and abandon h6r policy of free imports. "B?''far-doing" she is creating n new situation which sooner or later will compel even the most reluctant to realise the' necessity for a more t liberal attitude all rQiind." ■ .> - "The Times" emphasises that Great Britain must go to the imperial Economic Conference at Ottawa with her hauds as free as possible from commitments outside the Empire.