GENERAL TARIFF

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1932, Page 5

GENERAL TARIFF

COMMENT BY PRESS. DIVERGENCE OF OPINION. (United Pres? Association.• —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.; LONDON, January 23. The “Daily Flora Id” says: “It is a contemptible business! The Tory majority in the Cabinet is to rule. The minority in the Cabinet arc acquiring a policy which they believe to be futile and dangerous.

The minority is to salve its conscience by a few ineffective speeches.”

“The Times” says: There is nothing more simple than to pour ridicule and sarcasm on the Cabinet’s decision, but sticond thoughts should convince everyone except those who would rather see the National Government collapse than continue, that the Cabinet’s decision is neither humorous nor humiliating. The experiment is to be justified or condemned by its resuits. A common front is now more than ever required by the hard facts of a disordered world. It is not necessarily doomed by the action of a few ministers towards one item in the national programme.

The “Times” states: The proposal which found most favour in committee was one for the immediate imposition of 10 per cent general tariff, with limited exceptions accompanied liy u proposal for the creation of a committee empowered to make more detailed examination of imports, and schedule those which might be subjected to a higher rate of duty in Inter legislation. The decision now reached, which will allow the Ministers in disagreement with the majority on this issue, freedom to express their views in Parliament indicated the importance attached to maintaining unity in the face of the prohelms of overwhelming significance now before the world. Satisfaction is expressed in Ministerial circles that the constitution is sufficiently pliable to permit of the development whereby co-operation on all main issues can he maintained while allowing this freedom in regard to a particular issue, which for the time being, is regarded as of less importance. The “Morning .Post” (Conservative) says: “We agree as to the importance of maintaining national unity in tile face of the present evil aspect of the world. Nevertheless we feci that this expedient ; s not t,r,i ”id, and that it cannot well succeed.” The “Daily Telegraph” states:— “‘This is an emergency solution. On no other grounds would it be acceptable. Tt lias been the unwritten rule for a Minister to resign before he speaks or votes against his colleagues. It is a good sound rule, and it should be restored ns soon ns things become normal. The breach of the rule is only justified by the emergency.

A MINISTERIAL EXCUSE

LONDON, January 23

Speaking at Birmingham, Lord Hailsham (Lord Chancellor) said ; "I think you will be surprised when you see the tariff proposals. These were not acceptable to some members of the 'Cabinet. This would lead to their resignations in ordinary times. These are not ordinary times. I believe the knowledge that even these fiscal difficulties fail to shake the solidarity of the Cabinet will strengthen our position abroad.’’

RELATIONS WITH ARGENTINE

LONDON, January 23

A deputation representing the prin-1 cipal financial and commercial inter- ; ests directly connected with Argen- • tina was received to-day by Rt. Hon. | W. Runciman (President of the Board , of Trade). The deputation suggested ; that in view of the extensive British j interests in Argentina, special treat- . meat should bo accorded her, to encourage Anglo-Argeiitina trade alter j provision was made for imperial re- i quiroinents. The Commitue expressed ; the belief that a plan under which Ar- j gentian might continue to find a mar- j ket in Britain would ensure reciprocal j advantages from the Argentina Government. • MACDONALD’S COMPROMISE. LONDON, January 22. Political circles are in a firment over the unexpected decision from the long-established doctrine of collective Cabinet responsibility (as denoted by the Government’s decision on the tariff issue). No official disclosure has been made, but it is generally accepted that an impasse was reached on 1 Inirsdav, when the Cabinet d.sciisseil whether the tarilf should be a temporary one, <•<■ a permit non l one. Lord •Snowden,, Sir 1). .Madman, Sufi], Samuel, and Mr Sinclair all required that it .should he a temporary tardf. When the Cabinet rose on llnnsday, resignations seemed inevitable. 'I ha Cabinet met again on Friday morning ill tin atmosphere of extreme tension, but Mr MacDonald produced the required formula, and thus averted a crisis liUT'l Eli DUTY PDSSiBi.K. LONDON, January 27>. The ‘-Daily E.xpr as” understands ''id the majority of the C.thine- au m favour of a ten per cent, duty upon all imports except thusu of wheat, meat and cotton. It is a foregone conclusion that I Inhirin' proposal will pass by a large majority, because it is virtually a Dm I vote. Tiio communique dal not. reveal who tho dissentients were, but moat gue.-.s

1 Ihmii to lie bord Snowden, Sir D. MacLean, and mrlmps Sir 11. Samuel. T|„. whole twenty Ministers were present at Hie di mi m.ms.