CONSERVATIVES INCENSED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21100, 6 February 1932, Page 9

CONSERVATIVES INCENSED.

DISSENTING MINISTER. ATTACK ON GOVERNMENT. TAXATION OF FOODSTUFFS. "ONLY THE BEGINNING." By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright. (Received February 5, 9.15 p.pi.) LONDON. Feb. 5. In the course of the debate on the tariff in the House of Commons the Home Secretary, Sir Herbert Samuel, said the Government went to the country not pledged to tariffs. It only undertook to consider every remedy for the adverse balance of trade, including tariffs without prejudice. 71)0 Chancellor of the Exchequer had stated the case not for temporarily redressing tbe balance of trade, but for a permanent, scientific system of protection. He proposed to tax 100 per cent, of the imports in the hope of excluding 5, 6 or 10 per cent, of the total. Not more than 6 per cent, of the taxed foodstuffs would be excluded, about 4 or 5 per cent, of the materials and possibly 10 per cent, of manufactures. The scheme must be permanent because it would be the basis for bargains and arrangements with the Dominions at the Ottawa Conference. It was a serious thing to tax foodstuffs in view of the present poverty of the people, with 2.500.C00 unemployed. Prices had not risen since the departure from the gold standard only because in the same period world prices, in terms of gold, had dropped 6 per cent. In terms of sterling prices had risen 8 per cent. Nearly half Britain's importations of flour, butter, cheese and eggs, two thirds of the imported rice and four-fifths cf the condensed milk and margarine came from foreign countries and would be taxed.

"If for these things," said Sir Samuel, "we could obtain real Empire free trade with full entry of our manufactures to the Dominions, the matter would deserve consideration, but nobody anticipated such a policy would be proposed. "The 10 per cent, duties will only be the beginning. The Advisory Committee will be empowered to increase the duties and we shall be forced into the ranks of the protectionist countries." Sir Herbert's dramatic attack incensed tlie Conservatives. The spectacle of a Minister assailing the Government's policy is unprecedented. Some of the Conservatives declare that' Sir Herbert has gone too, far and must resign. The Times suggests that the incident will be overlooked if the measure is not further hampered.

SIB HEBBEBT'S SPEECH. RESIGNATION DEMANDED. "CABINET POST UNTENABLE." j (Received February G. 12.25 a.m.) I LONDON, Feb. 5. j Political writers say they are convinced j that Sir Herbert Samuel's position in the j Cabinet is untenable after his speech in i the House of Commons. The Daily Ex- j press says the cry in the lobbies is " Samuel must go." AID TO CANADA. BASIS FOR CONFERENCE. FISH INTERESTS GRATIFIED. (Received February 5. 9.15 p.m.) OTTAWA. Feb. 4. The Minister of Trade and Customs, Mr. H. H. Stevens, in commenting on the British tariff proposals said: — "If the 10 per cent, duty is levied by Britain on the wide range of articles indicated, with the Dominions exempt, itshould be of great assistance to Canada. It will form an excellent basis for the consultations at the approaching Empire Economic Conference." The fishing interests of British Columbia are gratified with the British tariff admitting Empire fish free, with 10 per cent, on foreign fish. Canadian fish were practically driven out of the, London market a year ago by Russian and Japanese salmon, some of which, it had been proven, was sold under false British Columbia labels. FOREIGN BUTTER DUTY. AUSTRALIA BENEFITS. DENMARK'S ADVANTAGE GONE. (Received February 5. 10.25 p.m.) SYDNEY, Feb. 5. Commenting on the British tariff on butter, Mr. C. E. Meares, manager of the Producers' Co-operative Distributing Society, said the 10 per cent. British preference would mean a groat deal to Australia in view of the fact that £20.000,000 woith of butter will be produced in Austialia, this season, at least 50 per cent, of wlii<b will be exported to Britain. This preference would reduce the gap between Australian and Danish prices. It will also provide additional stability to the dairying industry. VIEW OF PRODUCERS. IMPOST THOUGHT TOO SMALL. (Received February 5. S.2S p.m.) LONDON. Feb. 5. The Australian Dairy Produce Board j is of the opinion that the. tariff should rei suit in a marked stimulus for all Dominions' produce. Mr. Stapleton, on behalf of the British Dairy Farmers' Association, says the 10 per cent, duty is too small to exclude dumped foreign butter. Probably it will be found, he says, that nothing less than 3d a lb. will bo really effective, Empire produce being exempted. THE WHEAT QUOTA. AGREEMENT AT HOME. BILL TO APPEAR SHORTLY. LONDON, Feb. 4. The Minister of Agriculture, Sir John Gilmour, replying to national organisations, said there is now agreement on the scheme for a home-grown wheat quota, for which a bill will shortly .be introduced.