CENSURE MOTION LOST.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18709, 15 May 1924, Page 7

CENSURE MOTION LOST.

DEBATE IN THE COMMONS.

McKENNA DUTIES FIGHT.

WITHDRAWAL APPROVED.

By Telegraph— Association—Copyright.

(Received 12.5 a.m.) Reuter LONDON. May 13. The House of Commons was*crowded to-day, when the debate was taken on the censure motion, moved by Mr. Stanley Baldwin, Leader of the Unionists. This was to the effect that it is inexpedient to remove the McKenna duties amid the present distress in Britain. In moving the motion. Mr. Baldwin said that British motor-cars, known on the Australian market, wore superseded by American cars during the war. and it was still doubtful whether Britain could recover the market. The decision to remove the McKenna duties would make it still more difficult. Furthermore, Canada benefited by the preference given her under- those duties, and th* production of Canadian motor-cars hud increased largely, aided by American capital invested in Canada, in order to get the benefit of the preference. He feared that the Government had dealt a blow at the Canadian trade which, coupled with the Government's action in regard to Imperial preference would make the Dominion less responsive to any idea of reciprocity. He suggested an impartial inquiry into the question of the* McKenna duties. Mr. Philip Snowdan, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said the motor trader had ample notice of the change in conditions, which had aroused much opposition . Attacking the agitation which he alleged had been carried on by the employe! among the workers Mr. Snowden asked what good the McKenna duties had done to the motor trade, seeing that 75 per cent, of the British manufacture*"! were in the hands of the banks. The experts in 1922 were, he said, lower than in" 1913. During the same period the imports doubled. The effect of the duties had ceased to be protective, because British manufacturers specialised in a British type of car. The British motor-car trade would find it would not want, protection when it had got rid of its watered capital and put its affairs on a sound financial basis. There could he no compromise over the withdrawal of the duties.

The motion was defeated by 317 votes to 252. Nine Liberals supported the motion. No Labour members voted against the Government.