TARIFF PREFERENCE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 644, 1 March 1923, Page 5

TARIFF PREFERENCE.

WHAT DOMINIONS HAVE DONE. BRITAIN’S HELP WANTED. LONDON, Feb. 27. A deputation from the British Empire producers’ organisation waited on Sir W. Joynson-Hicks and urged that it should be made obligatory on every Government department and public body to buy omy goods of Empire origin and employ British labour exclusively. Mr Benjamin Morgan said that the Government’s attitude toward Imperial trade caused deep misgiving in the Dominions. Australia in 1921 gave Britain tariff preference totalling eight million poffnds, while Britain’s tariff preference on Australian goods did not amount to £IOO,OOO. New Zealand, ill addition to giving tariff preference, accepted British tenders at 10 per cent, above the foreign price. Not long ago the War Office passed over the Australian and New Zealand army meat tenders and bought a million tins from the United States. When the Dominion tenderers sought the reason, all information was refused. Similar happenings were reported in connection with municipalities in Britain. Unless something was done, there might bo a great revulsion of feeling in the Donjdnictas and colonies against continuing preferences ( in favour of Britain. Sir W. Joyuson Hicks said that he and Sir P. Lloyd Graeme had fuff sympathy with the deputation’s object. The matter 1 was being carefully considered, especially by the Cabinet committee olr ’ unemployment. The Government could not impose conditions on municipalities. The representations would be given fuff weight by Cabinet. —A. and N.Z. cable.