BRITISH POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 18 February 1932, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS

THE TARIFF BILL

DISCUSSION IN COMMONS

(United Press Association. —By Elec trie Telegraph .—Copyright. J

LONDON, February 16

In the Commons bir Robert Horne said he welcomed the fact that it provided a means of retaliation against any country which discriminated against Britain. Tile Bill would, bring freer trade than this country had enjoyed lor the last two generations. It was a basis on which could he built a scientific system, which would be formed by the proposed Advisory Committee. Dealing with the list of exemypted goods, he suggested that a fair criterion to apply would he tlmt if Britain and the Empire, together or separately, did not produce enough to supply tile needs of British manufacturers, then, prima facie at least, the commodity concerned should be exempt from duty.

Tile President of the Board ol Trade (Mr Runciman) stated the French Government had informed the Britisn Government of its decision to exempt British coni from the imposition of the Id pel 1 cent surtax. The question of the application iif the surtax to other goods remained for further consideration,

Tim announcement was greeted with cheer*} land a Conservative member observed: “Is not this the first illustration of the result of our tariff policy?”

Answering various questions, Mr Runciman said that it was the Government's intention jto continue to use the powers they had under the Abnormal Importations Customs Duties Act, if it became necessary to do so, although he could not indicate

which might be included in any future order.

Mr Runciman informed Mr Pickering that 25 per cent, of British exports in 1931 were assigned to the Dominions, and 18 per cent to the rest of the Empire. Mr J. H. C. Hodgson (President of Chamber of Commerce). speaking at Bradford, said that the Board of Trade had been consulting representatives of industries, with a view to the possibility of apportioning sections of tile wool textile, and other industries to he conducted in tile Dominions, leaving the remaining sections to Britain. Some progress had been made in this direction by other industries, but he had insisted that no such arrangement if the wool trade were possible. If every delegate to the Ottawa Conference sought the welfare of the Empire as a whole, there would be no question of bargaining to split the wool industry.

APPEAL TO BRITISHERS, LONDON, February 10

Mr Philip Page, in an article in the “‘standard/’ makes a plea to “drink imperially.” He says that Empire wines have ceased to he the sport of humourists, and he urges puiveyors to dispense them, proclaiming their medicinal properties. Mr Page says:: “Anyone claiming superiority as" such, for the champagne, claret and Burgundy of France, the port of Portugal, the sherry of Spain, or t<»*» hock of Germany, is an egregious ass, damaging the cause he is espousing. The best wines of those countries are. supreme, but there is much of poor quality. On the contrary the Empire wines preserve a steady level, hut do not receive fair play or trial by the public nor by English wine trade associations, which do not recognise them. There is more snobbery in wine drinking than in any other form of (gratifying the senses. Millions smack their lips over the expensive inferior European tipple and sneeringlv dismiss something four times as good, because it- is labelled Empne.

A LABOURITE'S VIEWS

LONDON. February 16

Speaking on the Tariff Bill in the House o! Commons, Major C. R. Attllo (Labour) said: “The Dominions have not the least idea of allowing our manufacturers to swamp the outputs of their own factories, lit seeking tor a bargain with the Dominions, we are goin<r up against out British agiiculture.” He asked whether Britain-» own agriculture was to be protected against the agricultural exports of the Dominions p “When we come down front the atmosphere of goodwill to that or bargaining with the Dominions/' he added, “we are as likely to find a quarrel as an agreement." Rt. Hon. Sir Archibald Sinclair (National Liberal, and Secretary for Scotland) said that lie and other representatives ol the free trade electors who had supported the Government, had only remained in the Government in (he belief that it was indispensable, in view ol large issues, t.o continue a Naljonal Government, as a symbol ol unity of the nation.

Mr Samuel Storey (Conservative) said that he was a buyer of newsprint, hut he was opposed to the inclusion o! newsprint in the tree list. He stated that, three-quarters ol tlm local output of newsprint came Iroin I lie nulls that. r]'r owned by the three bi<_ revs] in per groups. I '.iwever tlie.se orolt" , used only one-thii ( | ol the product ion of I heir own mills, and the remainder was sol,] in the open market. ( atiada uacapable ol .nei-ensini; her output of newsprint by one million tons per ,w*ui. It was. therefore, ridiculous to suggest, that Britain was forced to import one hundred and twenty thousand tons of foreign newsprint

CHANCELLOR’S DEFENCE OF BILL,

LONDON, February 16,

Closing the tariff debate the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt. Hon. N. Chamberlain said that the Government, were satisfied with the debate. His only difficulty, he said, was that there was so little for him to answer, rio trusted, however, that Major Attlee s views on the question of Empire trade relations were not characteristic of the Labour Party. He said that a prominent man from a Dominion had written t<> him after the opening of tile tariff' debate, saying; “A new Empire was born yesterday. Henceforth we can proceed together in harmony and unity with a hope of a satisfactory outcome to our conversations.’

The Chancellor, proceeding said tile speeches ol all three ol his dissentient Cabinet colleagues were now recorded, embalmed, and enshrined in ‘“Hansard," but unlike the mummies of the Egyptian Kings, that, were unsealed, the speeches would remain available for inspection bv anybody. He said he Agreed with the argument that a tec. per cent, tariff was not sufficient lo (heck dumping. It would bo necessary to adept tho method ol prohibition and license, entailing a survey of the existing convent ions. As regards the free list, eie-li article I hereon |>a,| had to lie considered on its merits. In referi'iur to agriculture, lie asked the House to rcim-mhor 1 lint Ibe bill conferred (Id'll. / •in I'el’ils, and also that t hey must not I! row sway all I !i"ir card- botor 1 hey stalled to eoli.el.-.e with I lie I' 'minions.