IMPORT DUTIES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 20, 18 October 1930, Page 9

IMPORT DUTIES

Foreshadowed in Britain SNOWDEN’S ADMISSION May Outrage Principles By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, October 16. “There is still hope,” said a Dominion delegate to-day, referring to the following statement by Mr. Philip Snowden, the British Chancellor of the Exchequer. “I shall possibly have to outrage my strict financial principles, and may do things I could not justify in ordinary circumstances.” It is suggested that this foreshadows the introduction of import duties *■ r revenue purposes. GOOD PROGRESS Consideration of Questions TARIFFS AND TRADE British Wireless. Rugby, October 16. Although the Imperial Conference has not yet reached a stage at which decisions are taken, good progress has been made with the consideration of the various questions before it. The method of procedure adopted is for the tions in a general way, and then to refer them for detailed examination and report. Constitutional questions affecting inter-imperial relations were in this way first considered, and various matters were referred to a committee presided over by the Lord Chancellor, Lord Sankey. This committee has had several meetings. At its meeting to-day the Sankey Committee appointed a subcommittee to examine and report on certain technical questions arising from the report of last year’s Conference on the operation of Dominion legislation, and also referred to a sub-com-mittee a matter respecting the form of commercial treaties. A further exchange of views also took place on the position of members of the British Commonwealth in relation to treaty making. Suggestions for Improving Trade. Meanwhile the heads of delegations of the Imperial Conference had a further meeting to continue their exchange of views on the suggestions for improving .inter-imperial trade. As certain questions of high policy are involved in some of these suggestions, it was considered necessary for this discussion to take place before the mat ters in question were referred to com mittee.

The main suggestions which have been made so far, and which are now under detailed examination, are:— (1) Tariffs, with preference for Empire products, with special reference t® the Canadian proposal, which is now being studied by appropriate Departments of the United Kingdom Government (2) The quota system as applied to imports into the United Kingdom, particularly of wheat but with a possible extension to other commodities. (3) Bulk purchase and import boards, which are correlated. (4) Means whereby British industrialists might take fuller advantage of the opportunities for trade with the Dominions. As a result of their discussion this morning these matters were referred to the Committee presided over by the President of the Board of Trade, Mr. William Graham. This afternoon that Committee examined some of the questions arising in connection with the suggested _ quota on wheat, pending the production of documents, which experts are preparing, and gave preliminary consideration to other matters referred to it. Arbitration and Disarmament. Three other committees met to-day That on Arbitration and Disarmament completed, for the present, considera tion of the General Act tor the laciflc Settlement of International Disputes. A number of reservations, which, it .is suggested, sho'.’LtL be attached to the signature, were considered. Disarmament will be discussed by the committee to-morrow. The Forestry Committee discussed the training of forestry offlceis, and the first meeting was’held late tins evening of the Committee on Singapore Naval Base. RESERVATIONS TO ACT New Zealand’s Policy Rec. October 17, 10.5 p.m.). London, October 17. The Australian Press Association learns that the reservations to the Gen oral International Arbitration Act, which delegates to the ference are discussing, follow the hneo of those made when the Optional Clause was signed at Geneva last year. Australia and New Zealand, in accordance with the policy always pursued al Geneva, are taking steps to ensure that in no circumstances sba 1 the question of immigration be included within the scope of International Arbitration. IMPERIAL PREFERENCES Effect on Sugar London, October 16. Mr A A. Innes, member of the Queensland Sugar Board has furnished Mr Scuilin with a memorandum eon corning the effect of Imperial prefer cnees on sugar. LIBERALS’ ATTITUDE Party’s Independence FREEDOM OF TRADE British Wireless Rugby. October 16. At the annual conference of the National Libera) Federation at Torquay. a resolution was passed reaffirming the complete independence of the Liberal Party, and renewing its insist ance upon its maintenance as a separ-

ate political entity in Parliamentary affairs. Speaking on a resolution condemning the remedies which had been proposed to meet trade depression, Mr. Ramsay Muir urged that the time had come to bring about an international movement for greater freedom of trade and the reduction of tariff barriers. An amendment to the resolution declaring that protection in favour of one section of the community at the expense of others violated the principle of national justice was adopted.