THE SILK DUTIES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 143, 21 May 1925, Page 5

THE SILK DUTIES.

CHANCELLOR ANSWERS CRITICS

LONDON, May 19. Mr Winston Churchill (Chancellor of the Exchequer) who presided u.t a meeting, at the Treasury, of the committee of tho silk trade interests to consider the proposed scale of silk duties, was bombarded in the House of Commons with questions on the subject. Ho told ono questioner -that the duty was not charged on any silk or artificial silk articles worn by passengers entering the country, and reasonable allowance would be made with regard to articles in personal luggage. Thereupon, Miss Wilkinson pointed out that this would benefit- the woman who was able to buy dresses abroad. Mr Churchill, in another reply, said that wood pulp only was liable to duty when converted into artificial silk. Ho did not- think that the tariff would in any way affect the free importation of raw material for paper. Another questioner, who said that artificial silk was made from cellulose acetate, which already was taxed under the German reparations, was referred by Mr Churchill to the Safeguarding of Industries Act. The Chancellor also quoted the latter Act to another questioner, whom he informed that where articles were liable to the new import duty, they were also liable to other duties. These" duties would be merged and the greater duty only charged.—A. and N.Z. cable.