IRISH RETALIATION

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 248, 15 July 1932, Page 9

IRISH RETALIATION

Britain’s Special Duties SENSATION IN DAIL Emergency Bill Announced MR. DE VALERA’S APPEAL (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) . (Rec. July 14, 5.5 p.m.) Dubiin, July 13. A sensation was caused in the Dail Eireann this evening by an announcement that Mr. de Valera was rushing through an emergency Bill retaliating on Britain for her special duties legislation before the recess, which will be postponed until the week-eiid. The text of the Bill is expected to-morrow. Mr. W. T. Cosgrave, discussing the Agricultural Estimates, declared that I the situation was appalling. The Free ' State was now 20 per cent, worse off ' than Australia and New Zealand, and 10 per cent, worse off than Denmark, and. could not possibly bear the impost. Mr. Cosgrave said that it would not be long before there was nothing to say for agriculture but prayers for the dead. Mr. Corry, a de Valera party farmer, declared that England would not succeed this time. “We are sick of crawling to England,” he said. “If England wants fight, she can have it. ’ Mr. Ernest Blythe, an ex-Minlster, said that the Free State might be led to bankruptcy and complete social chaos by the Government’s action. Mr. de Valera, in replying to the debate on the estimates, did not refer to the emergency Bill. He said that he was not starting an economic war. “The gentlemen across the water thought that they could use this method, but they have mistaken the temper of the Irish people,” he said. “The British are going to feel it equally. As our offer for a fair court regarding the annuities stands, the decision that we will not be restricted in the choice of personnel is irrevocable. I appeal to the Irish people to stand i firm.” (Cheers.) It Is officially stated that Mr. de Valera’s emergency Bill will empower the Executive to impose duties of an unspecified amount on any imports, also a stamp duty on documents and transactions. “BLACK FRIDAY” Alarm Among Exporters ANTICIPATING THE TARIFF ' (Rec. July 14, 6.45 p.m.) Dublin, July 13. There is consternation among Free State exporters over Britain’s imposition of special duties, and the day is already dubbed “Black Friday.” Agriculturists consider that it is hopeless to compete with Northern Ireland, Holland, and Belgium. Free State exporters’ frantic efforts to anticipate the British tariffs resulted in special boats being required to ship live stock from Waterford and dairv produce from Cork. Over 4000 lambs, 800 cattle, and 700 pigs are due at Birkenhead to-morrow. Mr. de Valera’s Cabinet lengthily discussed the position. It is hinted that there will be a prompt retaliatory cancellation of Imperial preferences. MUST CUT PRICES Ultimatum to Producers COUNTERACTING DUTIES (Rec. July 14, 9.25 p.m.) London, J uly 14. Most of the Irish trade with Britain is done in or through Lancashire. Leading produce importers in Manchester have notified producers in Ireland that they must cut prices by 20 per cent, to counteract ‘the effect of the new duties. Irish egg-packers have been told that they must in future send supplies carriage paid and duty paid free to Liverpool or Holyhead. A member of the biggest importing firm in the North of England stated that if the price of Irish eggs was increased dealers here would place orders elsewhere. Irish producers must pay the duty if they wanted to keep the valuable trade of Lancashire.

Leading provision buyers of Great Britain and London stores agree that alternative supplies are readily available, so the absence of Irish produce will not affect general price levels. They say that the British public will certainly not pay more for Irish produce than for oilier kinds.