BRITISH TARIFF ADVISED

Hawera Star, Volume L, 7 April 1931, Page 5

BRITISH TARIFF ADVISED

J XDUKTRIAL PROTECTION. REJECTION REPORTED. (United Press ..Association—By Electro Telegraph Copyright.) LONDON, April 5. A hint that the Economic- AdvisoryCouncil had advised tlhe Government to impose a tariff was given by a member of the Cabinet, Mr A. \. Alexander, when addressing the Cooperative Party at Blackpool. Alluding to Australia as an instance of the incapacity of a protectionist country to protect its workers, Mr Alexander said: “Summing up the fiscal issue and taking into account the Economic Council’s advice, my view is that if we cannot maintain the present standard of living wages must come down. If you dare not face the industrial consequences of such a policy you can do it by applying a tariff on the goods the workers consume.” Interviewed subsequently, Mr Alexander denied intending to convey the ideh that the council had presented reports. He was merely quoting the widespread feeling of economists and industrialists. “Reynolds’ News,” however, states the Government had received _ and rejected the advice of the council to impose a tariff.