GERMAN AGREEMENT

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 102, 3 May 1933, Page 9

GERMAN AGREEMENT

CRITICISM IN COMMONS

CONSERVATIVE REVOLT

/ V LONDON, May 2. A Conservative revolt against the trade agreement with Germany" negotiated by the President of the Board pt Trade (Mr. Walter Runciinan) ,causod some surprise toy its extent. When the resolution for ratification of the treaty came before the House of Commons, 50 Conservatives voted against the Government, and about 100 others a-bstained from voting. Not only tho German, but Danish and Argentine agreements were equally criticised by different sections. Sir Austen Chamberlain, the Et. Hon. L. S. Amcry, uud Mr. P. J. 11. Hannon all strongly attacked the Anglo-German agreement on the ground that Mr. Buncimau,- in the interests of coal, had almost lightly thrown overboard the tariff advantage so recently given to small industries in the Birmingham districts. These, it was1 stated, were just preparing to take full advantage of the new tariffs and in some cases had built new factories for tho purpose, when Mr. Kunciman undertook to reduce their protection. The members contended that tho coal advantage obtained only gave Britain rights previously enjoyed under the quota agreement, which' Germany had since breached. Mr. Eunciman, replying, said that it had been made clear during the tariff debates that the now duties were intended to aerve as( a bargaining power, which was an essential part of the Government's policy. He had driven with Germany the hardest bargain obtainable. The advantages to tho coal industry outweighed the disadvantages to tho "eight or ten small industries affected, which would still retain reasonable protection. The Government must have the confidence of the House or negotiations of trado agreements would j be impossible. ' 1 Sir Austen. Chamberlain's motion was defeated by 209 votes to 80. A number of Conservatives, headed by Mr. Ainery, Sir H. Pjigo Croft, Mr. Hannon, and Sir Basil Pcto, tabled a motion, for the rejection of the AngloGerman trade agreement on: the ground of tho inadequate concessions obtained. A White Paper issued last week gave the torms of the Anglo-Germau commercial relations agreement: Under the agreement tho Government of tho United Kingdom will undertake that German articles in the .schedule attached to the Treaty shall not bo subjected to duties higher than those specified, in return for which the German Government, will secure, firstly, that licences will be issued for the importation of no less than 180,000 tons of British coal monthly, and secondly', that, if the total coal, coal briquettes, and coke consumption of Germany exceeds by 1 . per cent. 7,500,000 tons' in any month, licences shall be'issued for the importation from Britain, during the month following of tho equivalent percentage over 180,000 tons. The schedule of German goods and maximum duties specified contains: — Toys, 15 per cent. Certain musical instruments, including pianos, 20 per cent. Cheap clocks, 25 per cent. Varieties of cheap jewellery, 25 per cent. Domestic hollow-ware, 20 per cent. Safety lazor blades, 20 per cent., plus a'shilling per gross.