BRITISH TRADE

Evening Star, Issue 16992, 14 March 1919, Page 6

BRITISH TRADE

THE IMPORT RESTMCrnONS. FREETRADERS ALARMED. Press Association—By Telegraph —Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, March 10. (Received March 14, at 9.20 a.m.) In the House of Commons the Reconstructioii Minister (Sir Auckland Qeddcs) said the Government. meant to tackle the whole problem of imports, exports, and reexports, the dispersal of the stocks of raw material, ami the building up of industries damaged by the war. International trade should be stimulated. A discussion followed, in which the Freetraders vigorously assailed the proposals, declaring that they would create new vested interests. Other critics protested that Sir A. Geddes’s statement left the country in the dark as to whether the Government proposed to revert to free imports, continue their jirohibition, or adopt a .Customs tariff. The statement meant that the Government required half a year to consider the matter.^ Mr Bridgcroan, replying, said there was no absolute evidence of any of our Allies getting orders for which we were unable to compete owing to the restrictions. The Government were carefully watching, and representations would bo made to foreign countries if the suggestions were true. He promised to lift the restrictions as soon as possible.