COMMONWEALTH

Marlborough Express, Volume LIV, Issue 169, 19 July 1920, Page 5

COMMONWEALTH

ADVANTAGES OF IMPERIAL

PREFERENCE,

[Press Associa :ion'.] (Reuters Telegrams.) (Received July 19, 9 a.m.) LONDON, July 18.

In the House of Commons, Captain ; Wedgwood-Benn proposed the repeal . .of" the Imperial preference duties. He declared that they were trifling. "The absurd policy of Imperial preference; led to economic friction, which was adverse to the world's peace. Mr Chamberlain, replying, declared •that the object of Imperial preference was to give a practical example ■of Imperial imity. The advantage . 'Jay in the growing prosperity: of the •Overseas territories, resulting in an increase in their trade with the Mother Country. He denied that preference led to friction with the ' Dominions. Every party in every .Dominion approved of Imperial preference. The motion was rejected by 130 votes to 39. Captain Wedgwood-Benn then ? moved a motion with the object of preventing preference applying to mandated territory. Mr Baldwin, Secretary to the "Treasury, pointed out that the proposal was premature, ais the terms -of the- mandates were not yet known. The motion was rejected by 138 rotes to 45.