IN THE COMMONS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 268, 27 October 1932, Page 8

IN THE COMMONS

TARIFF PARLEYS OTTAWA CONFERENCE SEQUEL. BRITAIN AND FOREIGNERS. British Official Wireless Servic'e. Rugby, Oct. 25. Captain Eden stated in the House of Commons that since the beginning of the year many countries had expressed a desire to enter into tariff negotiations with Britain. In each case it was explained that until the Ottawa Conference ended the Government was not in a position to enter into such negotiations. The countries included Argentina, Belgium, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Poland, Santo Domingo, Sweden, Switzerland and Uruguay. Since the Ottawa Conference the Government had indicated its readiness to enter into negotiations with Argentina, Denmark, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

COAL RESTRICTIONS. Questioned in the House of Commons regarding negotiations with France and Germany on the restrictions Imposed on imported British coal. Mr Runciman said that representations made to the French Government were directed towards securing that the British coal export trade should receive treatment not less favourable tha‘ that accorded other countries exporting coal to France. That object had been achieved. The German Government suggested that the question should be discussed between the two Governments. Mr Runciman said that since the early part of July some 50 additional undertakings had been set up in Britain by or with the assistance of foreign concerns and had begun production. The Ottawa Agreements Bill provides that the Irish Free State will continue to enjoy preference both under the older duties and the new Ottawa duties so long as the British special duties on Irish goods for the recovery of annuity moneys remain in force. Lobbyists indicate that as no agreement was made with the Free State at Ottawa many believed that there would be no preference for Irish goods after the expiry date on November 15. OTTAWA AGREEMENTS. AN ARRESTED TENDENCY. (“Times” Cable.) London, Oct. 25. “The Times,” in an editorial, emphasises that despite criticism there is general agreement that Ottawa enables the arrest of the tendency of economic nationalism towards high tariffs and the establishment of an opposite trend. Ottawa is an illuminating accompaniment to the criticism of the English free traders who endeavour to insinuate that the Dominions have no intention of maintaining good faith. The insinuation only discredits its makers. The commonsense of Australia and New Zealand in accepting equitable reciprocity is eulogised.

CANADIAN TARIFF BOARD Montreal, Oct. 26. “The future attitude in Britain toward the Ottawa trade agreement depends to a great extent on the operation of the Canadian Tariff Board,” Lord Reading said here when en route to Ottawa to discuss this and allied subjects with the Premier, Mr Bennett.