IN THE COMMONS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 270, 29 October 1932, Page 7

IN THE COMMONS

OTTAWA AGREEMENTS BILL AMENDMENTS REJECTED. DUTY ON WHEAT. (United Press Association—By CableCopyright.) (Received 29, 11.40 a.m.) London, October 28. In the House of Commons, Mr Tom Williams moved to omit from the Ottawa Agreements Bill the 2 a duty a quarter on wheat. This, added to the duties on cheese and butter, he said, would mean a real burden on the poor. Major Hore-Belisha said that the object of the duty was to ensure a greater supply from the Empire at the expense of foreigners. He hoped that the dominions would reciprocate by buying more British manufactures. The consumer was amply protected by the provision that purchases must be at the world price. If the dominions w’ere unable to supply at that figure the duty would be removed. The amendment was rejected by 200 votes to 51. Mr D. B. Grenfell moved the omission of butter, cheese, eggs and milk, and contended that Britain could produce them as cheaply and efficiently as any country. The dominions already were able to compete in the market. The duty would mean that many of the poor would be unable to buy butter. They were already buying less Danish and more of the cheaper, inferior dominions ’ butter. Mr E. L. Burgin, Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Board of Trade, ridiculed the idea of hardship on the poor; on the contrary, it would prove mutually beneficial, with controlled supply giving the Empire an assured market. The amendment was rejected by 197 votes to 39. A LABOUR SUGGESTION. (Received 29, 10.30 a.m.) London, October 28. Mr G. Lansbury, Leader of the Labour Party in the House of Commons, told the Rt. Hon. Ramsay MacDonald that Labour was willing to abandon the discussion on Ottawa provided the Government agreed immediately to discuss unemployment without the use of the Whips. Mr MacDonald accepted the suggestion provided the Samuelites also agreed.