IMPERIAL PREFERENCE

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 23 May 1917, Page 8

IMPERIAL PREFERENCE

PROPOSALS CRITICISED IN FRANCE.

CONSIDERED AN ERROR DUE TO SENTIMENT.

(Received May 23, 9.55 a.m.) - "PARIS, May 22. The Journal dcs Debats, in a strong article against British Imperial preference, thinks the error springs from a sentimental desire to satisfy the Dominions, and says that if preference is to be given in order that the Empire may be militarily more than self-suffi-cient for a future war, then it should be remembered that France and Belgium are much nearer than the Do*minions. France and Belgium have done all that was possible in the present war, but preference will close Britain's markets to Frapce and Britain's other allies and other nations affected by Britain's new regime, and probably th"ey will organise special Customs duties on the Continent.