THE TARIFF BATTLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18563, 22 November 1923, Page 9

THE TARIFF BATTLE.

LOBB R. CECIL'S i POSITION.

TO SUPPORT MR. BALDWIN.

LORD ISLINGTON'S VIEWS.

LIBERALS DISCONCERTED.

By Telegraph— AMocial kin(Received 5.30 p.m.) A. and N.Z. v LONDON,' Nov. 20. Lord Islington,; former Governor of New Zealand, addressing a Liberal meeting at Taunton, said: "I do not depreciate. nor ridicule the modest preferential arrangements made at the Imperial Conference. I should be the last to laugh at tinned salmon and currants. When we can have a scheme of Empire preference without disability to the people of these islands. I should look upon the proposal with a favourable eye."

Mr. Hope Simpson, the Liberal candidate for Taunton, hastened to explain that he w'vs not in entire agreement wih Lord Islington's remarks. Mr. Austin Chamberlain, in his address at West Birmingham, states that Mr. Baldwin's objects are identical with those of Mr. Joseph Chamberlain in 1904. They include —

1. The giving of such security 'o ths Home market as will enable British producers ' to produce with confidence and with the best advantage.

2. To obtain effective power of bargaining lor more favourable treatment cf British manufactures in protected countries.

3. To develop the productions and resources of the Empire and promote trade within the Empire. '<

Lord Robert Cecil, who, it has been announced, is to be raised to the peerage, :n a farewell speech to his constituents at Hitchen, said: am not going to resign from the Government nor to turn down hastily aay proposal to give greater powers to negotiate with foreign countries regarding tariffs. It would be pedantry gone mad. A policy or retaliation will really be active instead of passive Free Trade. It is a step toward free imports. If preference is given to the Dominions, Britain has in the Empire a gigantic potential market. Personally I would not recommend anything in the nature of a bargain with the Dominions. Commercial bargains between members of a family are apt to diminish family feeling rather than increase it, but the Government's policy of preference has no suggestion of this."

Sir Robert Home, former Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Coalition Government, speaking at Glasgow, said that Mr. Asquith and Sir John Simon, who had been again taken to Mr. Lloyd George's bosom, had been denouncing the granting of any preferences whatever * to the Dominions. Was Mr. Lloyd George going to recant everything which in the war's gravest moments he had solemnly agreed to with the Dominion Ministers? He (Sir Robert Home) refused to believe it.

Continuing, Sir Robert pointed out that Mr. <S. M.v Bruce had disclosed attempts by other countries to make reciprocal trading arrangements with Australia. Cot.ld Britain afford to risk the chance of losing preferences received from the Dominions ? Britain . would never support a party which failed to do justice to the Dominions or flouted her Imperial destiny. - .....,,:.,

GOVERNMENT FREE TRADER

REJECTED BY HIS PARTY.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Reed. 10.5 p.m.) v LONDON. Nor. N 2O.

Lieutenant-Colonel A. Buckley,' who resigned the Secretaryship of the Department of Overseas Trade, declares that he offered to stand for his oonstitutency (Waterloo, Lancashire), .'as a Conservative Free Trader but the local association refused his tffer, and is selecting a. new candidate. > -

PREFERENCE PROPOSALS.

VALUE TO AUSTRALIA.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. (Heed. 8.5 o.m) MELBOURNE, Npv 21.

Dr. Earle Page, Acting-Prime Minister, in a speech at Dandenong, referring to the Imperial Conference, highly praised Mr. S. M. Bruce's part therein. He had not only acquitted himself with credit, but had frequently given a lead in discussions vital to the future, safety and welfare of the "Empire. -'■■ .'/• ' '-• . - Dr. Page stated that the increased preference for Australia totalled £304,000 a year, and Australia would be in a position to compete for business to the value of £25,000,000, with a total preferential advantage of £3,000,000.

AUSTRALIAN CANDIDATES.

TWO FOR LIBERAL PARTY.

Australian and N.Z. Cabl» Awociation. . (Reed. 9.5 p.m.) ' LONDON, ..'Nov. 20. Mr. Pilkington, a Western Australian, is contesting Keighley as a Liberal candidate. So far he has' a straght fight against Mr. H. B. Lees Smith, the Labour member. , ; V • : -'".. . " ' ' Mr. E. A. S. Harney, K.C., a former Australian Senator, is seeking re-election as a Liberal at South Shields. ■ . General 'Sir Newton Moore, formerly. of Western Australia, is not' seeking re-elec-tion owing to pressure of business and the probability of ■'<. having to visit Canada shortly. He hopes before long to visit Australia, but he intends to seek to reenter the House of Commons at the first opportunity afterwards. Sir , Newton Moore was Conservative -member ; for North Islington in the last Parliament. "