ELECTION PROSPECTS

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 November 1923, Page 5

ELECTION PROSPECTS

ON.TARIFF ISSUE. EARLY APPEAL POSSIBLE. (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association!) LONDON, Nov. 8. It would in' no way be wise to outrule altogether the possibility of a general election before Christmas, though the greatest weight of unionion appears to favour the last week in January. The choice of the date will largely depend on events in Parliament next week. If certain proposed extensions to the Safeguarding of Industries Act are challenged, as being a breach of the late Mr. Bonar Law’s pledge, Mr. Baldwin may then decide immediately to seek the country’s verdict on the programme which he outlined at Manchester. Possibly, therefore, the country might be in the midst of an election campaign within a fortnight. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald at Lymmer, said that the Labour Party would attack Mr. Baldwin with all the energy and enthusiasm the party could command. Lord Salisbury, at Hull, said: “If, by the system of preference, we coulcf to some extent lower the wall against us in the Dominions, in return for certain fiscal advantages, that would be in the interests of free trade.”

Mr. Amery, at Hanley, said that Mr. Baldwin had especially excluded wheat and meat from his proposed new tariff, so as to take away the old “parrot cry” about “taxing the people’s food.”

PREFERENCE GRANTS. . LONDON, Nov. 7. Mr. Bruce is gratified at the further preferential proposals. He believes the British Government is prepared to concede preferences as far as it can within the present limits of its ability. The preference on apples, fruit juice and honey is confirmed. Other preferences conceded are: Lime juice, 6d per gallon; the tobacco preference is increased from one sixth to one-fourth. It is understood the apple preference is primarily intended to benefit Australia and Canada as against Western American competition. The salmon preference is a benefit against the recently increasing Japanese competition. The honey preference will benefit Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa against foreigners generally. The Minister for Agriculture announced at this afternoon’s Conference that it had been agreed to amend the Merchandise Marks’ Bill in the direction advocated by Mr. Massey, and that the words: “Empire Produce,” in addition to the words: “Foreign Produce,” should be used in the Bill. At present the shops are compelled to show only “Homegrown” and ‘“Foreign” placards, and the proposal is to enforce a distinction between foreign and Empire produce. The concession, which will require legisaltive confirmation is expected to have a very beneficial effect on overseas’ Empire produce, especially meat. The Economic Conference agreed, that the British proposal to double the existing preference on Empire grown wines not exceeding 30 degrees strength, making the tax on Empire wines two shillings a gallon, and on foreign wines six shillings.