TARIFFS IN BRITAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20743, 10 December 1930, Page 13

TARIFFS IN BRITAIN.

SIGNS OF CHANGED OPINION#

LABOUR MAY MODIFY POLICY# CONDITION. OF INDUSTRIES, Tho opinion that Britain's Labour Government may find it necessary to introduce some form of tariffs for revenua purposes was expressed yesterday by Mr, R. J. Gilmour, of Invercargill, who was chairman of tho New Zealand delegation to tho Imperial Press Conference. Mr. Gilmour arrived at Auckland by tho Ulimaroa from Sydney on his return from London.

Commenting on the industrial outlook in Great Britain, Mr. Gilmour said everything was in a state of flux and perplexity at present. One thing was certain: Britain's free trade policy would have to be discarded before long. Officially, tho Labour Party was still pledged to free trade, but there were signs within, the trade union organisations of a. change of opinion on that vital topic. "I should say it is by no means improbable that the Labour Party will yoti get a direction from its' own rank and file to adopt a tariff policy," said Mr.Gilmour. "The Conservative Party is now definitely pledged to protection and Empire preference and there can bo no question that those changes are coming, although they may not come quickly, because the cry of 'dear food' still raises alarm through the length and breadth of Britain.

"The visitor to Britain, accustomed to the operation of tariffs, and observe ing the slackness of trade and unemployment which results from the open-door policy, finds it difficult to understand why there should be any hesitation in adopting a reasonable measure of protection. It has to be remembered, however, that in Britain free trade has centuries of public opinion behind it."

Mr. Gilmour had many opportunitiei to examine the condition of British industry at first hand. "The only inaustry I could find whose profits and dividends, were not affected by the depression was the brewing industry," he said. "Tha motor-car manufacturers also appear to be doing well and are confident of doing still better in the near future. In tha textile and steel trades reports are not so good." ' s