DIES STUBBORNLY

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 65, 10 December 1930, Page 13

DIES STUBBORNLY

Freetrade Tradition

BRITISH POLICY

Labour’s Hand May be Forced

VISITOR’S IMPRESSIONS

Dominion Special Service.

Auckland, December 9. That Britain’s Labour Government may find it necessary, even if it declines entirely to foresake its freetrade policy, to introduce some form of tariffs for revenue purposes was an opinion expressed by Mr. R. J. Gilmour, of Invercargill, who was chairman of the New Zealand delegation to the Imperial Press Conference on his return from London to-day.

Comriienting on the industrial outlook in Great Britain, Mr. Gilmour stated on his arrival by the Ulimaroa that everything was in a state of flux and perplexity at present. Changes were undoubtedly taking place, but it was not yet clear what exactly the changes were or what direction they would finally take. One thing was certain: Britain’s free trade policy would have to be discarded before long. Officially, the Labour Party was still pledged to free trade, but there were signs within trade union organisations of a change of opinion on that vital topic. “I should say it is by no means improbable,” said Mr. Gilmour, “that the Labour Party will yet get a direction from its own rank and file to adopt a tariff policy, in any case apart from a fixed policy. The Labour Government, if it remains in office, may find it necessary to introduce some form of tariff for revenue purposes. The Conservative Party is now definitely pledged to protection and Empire pre ferences, and there can be no question that those changes are coming, although they may not come quickly because the cry of dear food stid raises alarm through the length and breadth of England. "A visitor to Britain accustomed to the operation of tariffs, and observing the slackness of trade and unemployment which result from the open-door policy finds it difficult to understand why there should be any hesitation in adopting a reasonable measure of protection, but it has to be remembered that in Britain free trade has centuries of public opinion behind it.”

Mr. Gilmour had many opportunities to examine the condition of British industry at first band. “The only industry I could fin'd whose profits and dividends were not affected by the depression was the brewing industry,” he said. “Motor-car manufacturers also appear to be doing well, and are: confident of doing still better in the near future. In the -textile and steel trades reports are not so good.” Mr. Gilmour was in Rome when the ninth anniversary of Fascism was celebrated, and Mussolini made one of his “sabre rattling” speeches. Whatever may be thought in Europe of Mussolini’s menacing utterances, there is no doubt that his powerful, personality has proved an immense driving force among his own countrymen, said Mr, Gilmour. 'lt would be idle to pretend there is no opposition to him in Italy, but the opposition is afraid to make itself heard, and meanwhile he is directing.the Italians toward a higher sense of national entity, toward greater industrial and social achievement, and toward loftier ambitions and aspirations. Italy has undoubtedly mad > good progress, on the surface at least. There is no trouble with political dissensions, and under the Duce’s firm hand the national energies are well organised and well employed. THE OLD LIFE Methylated Spirits Addicts Methylated- spirits was stated to be the downfall of Frederick Smith, aged 43, and Hugh Shannon, aged 48, labourers, charged in the Police Court yesterday with being incorrigible rogues. They pleaded not guilty and were remanded for a week.

Sub-Inspector Lopdell said the two accused were arrested two months ago for being found unlawfully on private premises. They were then drinking methylated spirits and were in a fairly bad way. They were each sentenced to two months’ imprisonment and were released last Saturday. They were then in a condition to work and it was hoped that the effects of the methylated spirits had left them, but on Monday they were found in a public convenience each with a bottle of methylated spirits. They were sleeping out. They were taking to the same kind of life that they had lived previously. A remand for a week was asked iri order that accused might recover again from the effects of the spirits. If they could not be cured and did not leave town the only thing to do was to sentence them each to a long term of imprisonment.