TWO FISCAL CAMPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18534, 19 October 1923, Page 7

TWO FISCAL CAMPS.

PREFERENCE ASSAILED.

LABOUR'S ANTAGONISM. INSUPPORTABLE BURDEN. By Telegraph— Association— Copyright. (.Received 10.5 p.m-) &- and N.Z. " LONDON. Oct. 17. The official seal was put on Labour's disapproval of Imperial preference by Mr. Arthur Henderson, M.P., in a speech at Durham. Mr. Henderson declared that Mr. S. M. Bruce was asking for the full programme of Tariff Reformers. Preference would imposs an insupportable burden on Britain's impoverished j:>eople. The projected duty on dried fruits involved a distinct violation of Mr. Bonar Law's election pledge. Tho 10 years' guarantee regarding Empire-grown sugar would not bind a Labour Government if. such materialised within that period.

CASE FOR FREE TRADE.

BRITAIN'S FOOD SUPPLY.

THE PRICE OF PREFERENCE.

Austsalian and N.Z. Cabltt Association. (Rccd. 9.5 p.m.) LONDON. Oct. 17.

Sir John Simon, dealing with the Government's preference proposals in a speech at tho National Liberal Club, said he hoped that fellow citizens overseas would not mind a little plain speaking. It was useless to conduct such a controversy by empty compliments. There was grave danger of confusion of ideas at the outset. Ho pointed out that preference practised by Cho Dominions tended to decrease the price tho consumer had to fay for an article enjoying preference, whereas preference in Britain would increase prices to the poorest who at present enjoyed a free market.

The Government's preference proposals might bo trumpery and negligible, but they involved the important admission that the next step would be impossible without taxing food. Mr. S. M. Bruce had said that it was useless to dodge the main issue, thus making it J V ; :;Iy clear that his vlfliraato idea was to ta. xood and raw materials.

Referring particularly to the proposal to guarantee preference on Empire-grown sugar for ten years, Sir John Simon asked what right had any Government to continue tho burden on one of the most important foodstuffs ? Ho concluded that the Empire would best justify itself by declaring that at heart it adhered to the principle of trading with the whole world, not by a hopeless efforfj to be selfsupporting.

UNITED STATES WATCHES.

NO THREAT OF RETALIATION.

Australian and N.Z. Cablo Association. (Heed. 6.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON. Oct. 17.

Keen interest, is being taken here in the working out of tho preferential tariff plan within the British Empire at the Imperial Conference. Although President! Coolidge has made it plain that the United . States Government recognises the full right of the British Government and the Dominions to adopt a preference plan and there is no threat of retaliation from White House, advocates of the high tariff in Congress and .in the country will doubtless endeavour to use the British tariff preferences as reasons for keeping up the high level of duties in the United States.

RAISINS INSI'EAD OF MEAT. PUNCH'S SHREWD -COMMENT A. and JT.Z. • IiONBON. Oct. 17. Punch's chief cartoon this week represents John Bull as the father lion, with the cub lions, representing British Dominions, around a dining table containing only a howl of raisins and currants. The Australian cub is standing waving a spoon. The title is, " A Preference For Strong Food."

Says the lion, Now, my hoys, I'm sure you'll like these nice dried fruits." Chorus of cubs, led. by Australia, "Meat, please!" ,