NEWSPAPER COMMENTS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 270, 14 October 1932, Page 10

NEWSPAPER COMMENTS.

EMPIRE FREE TRADE. DEFINITE STEP FORWARD. LONDON, Oct. 13. Referring to the Ottawa agreements, The Times says: “It may be said immediately that the concessions to British industry in the Dominions’ markets are more substantial and cover a wider range of. exports than had generally been anticipated. When the modified duties are effective a great step will have been taken toward free trade throughout the Empire. There can be no doubt that the agreements, taken as a whole, do constitute a lowering and not a raising of tariff hindrances to trade.” The Daily Telegraph says: “Now that the schedules have been pubTTSiecl in full the majority of British industrialists will be surprised to find the Dominions’ concessions as numerous and valuable as they are, and that Britain has secured an enormous opportu-

nity for export trade. The Government’s avowed intention to raise the wholesale prico of foreign meat will almost certainly be misrepresented as a wicked attempt to make the British consumer pay more, but if the livestock industries of the workl are ruined meat supplies will shrivel, and then prices will soar so that the poorest meat will become a luxury. Wholesale pi-ices can rise a long way without reasonable excuse for advancing retail prices.” The Daily Mail says that the agreements will satisfy all but a small minority of people hero who believe it wrong to take any step to promote trade within the Empire or benefit British industry by tariff adjustments.” The Morning Post, while suspending detailed judgment, says it finds substantial grounds for confirming the original impression that tlie Dominions’ concessions offer a fair return for the advantages accorded them by Britain, and that the not result will be an increase in volume not only of Empire but of world trade. REDUCTION OF DUTIES. Received October 14, 8.30 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 13. The Yorkshire Post says : “The New Zealand agreement is a remarkable illustration of the success of the British delegation’s advocacy for freer trade. It was known that New Zealand preferred an increase in the preferences by raising the foreign rather than lowering the British duties, Tut the agreement provides for ah immediate reduction of all duties now levied on British goods in New Zealand.” SOUTH AMERICAN CHILLED BEEF Received October 14, 9.20 a.m. LONDON, Oct. 13. The Standard, in an editorial headed, “What Ottawa Left Undone,” says: “The imports of foreign meat are regulated, but South American chilled beef is left untouched. The avowed object of the meat quota is tp improve the market here, but how can that be done if South America is allowed to continue to export the same volume at lower prices.