FREETRADE OR TARIFFS?

Evening Star, Issue 20633, 5 November 1930, Page 9

FREETRADE OR TARIFFS?

BRITISH HOUSE OF COMMONS CONSERVATIVE AMENDMENT MOVED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright LONDON, November 3. In the House of Commons Mr Neville Chamberlain, in moving tho Conservative amendment, condemned the Government’s inaction in connection with unemployment. It was like a frightened puppy, ho said, glued to the kennel, snarling and snapping, but afraid to como out. “We have a plan,” he said, “ consisting of immediate protection in ono form or another of the Home market and the ultimate atainment of tho economic unity of the whole.” Ho said ho was convinced that tariffs were the easiest and least disturbing form of protecting the Home market. Though it might not bo applicable to some articles, protection of the Home market was the surest way of helping tho worker. Mr William Graham (President of the Board of Trade), in replying, said that the situation in Britain was grave, but 21,000,000 people throughout Europe were receiving public relief, the majority of whom wore in Protectionist countries. The Government could not deal with the dumping of German and Russian wheat without renouncing commercial treaties. Remembering her dependence on foreign countries, Britain would be placed at a disadvantage if she entered into a game of tariffs, with retaliatory tariffs. Referring to Air Bennett’s offer, he pointed out that all the dominions were protecting their own manufactures, and none was likely to agree drastically to reduce the tariffs on the articles of greatest importance to the British manufacturer. They must remember their foreign trade obligations. Apart from tariffs, much could bo done by what could be described as voluntary preferences within the Empire. He instanced Empire rationalisation, bulk purchases, import boards, and improved marketing, and added that these were being carefully analysed and discussed by the Government, which had not entered the Imperial Conference empty-handed though it might have suffered from failure to advertise its wares. The contribution Britain could make in the voluntary field was drastic reorganisation of groat industries like coal, iron, steel, and cotton to meet tho new conditions of world commerce. Sir Herbert Samuel (Liberal) said that the Government’s lack of activity in dealing with real distress made it difficult to co-operate with it. but the Liberals saw the real meaning of the amendment. Therefore they would not support it. The debate was adjourned. [The Conservative amendment regrets the failure of the Government to propose any measures which would be adequate to deal with the crisis in the industrial, agricultural, and commercial situation, or to check the continued growth of unemployment.] ATTITUDE OF THE LIBERALS AGAINST A DIVISION, LONDON, November 4. Interest is being manifested in all quarters concerning tho attitude of the Liberals towards the Government. It is believed that Air Lloyd George is dissatisfied, but hesitates to strike a blow which would involve a General Election. Tho Liberal members of Parliament met to-night to consider their attitude towards tho Conservative amendment on unemployment, and decided by a majority to abstain from the division. BRITISH MANUFACTURERS TARIFF ON PRODUCE FAVOURED. LONDON, November 4. (Received November 5. at 12.40 p.m.) Mr George Turrell, president of the National Union of Manufacturers, at tho annual meeting, moved a resolution in favour of tariffs and other regulations on the importation of produce, and urging the Government to negotiate with the dominions on a preferential basis, aiming at. interiraperial trade. He added that the Imperial Conference was a great disappointment. Tho Government was simply offering tli© dominions theoretical problems devoid of business reality. The Conservative Party, but for the BeaverbrookRothermere propaganda, would still be muddling with safeguarding under Freetrade domination. The next Conservative Government should have a free hand to negotiate with the dominions. Mr Turrell urged tho termination of tho miserable bickering with the Press. Tho motion was carried, despite Air Thomas Howard’s assertion that the Beaverbrook stunt would delay safeguarding tho manuiacturers lor twenty years, while dumping smashed industries to smithereens.

The Government’s attention was directed to the insolvency of tho unemployment fund.