TARIFF FOR BRITAIN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21101, 8 February 1932, Page 9

TARIFF FOR BRITAIN.

DISSENTING LIBERALS. HOME SECRETARY'S SPEECH. DISCUSSION CONTINUES. "LIBERTY TO SPEAK FREELY." By Telpsraph—Press Association—Copyrisat. (Received February 7, 5..> p.m.) LONDON. Feb. (5. Tho :itt;n k mn<le by the Home Secretary, Sir Herbert Samuel, on the tariff policy of t ho Government, continues to be discussed. It is learned that a conference ensued between Mr. Baldwin, Mr, Xevilic Chamberlain and Sir Herbert, which resulted in the explanation that the Home Secretary has no intention of embarking on a crusade against the policy, but will now content himself with voting against tho tariff. Probably the other Liberal Ministers will remain silent. The Daily Telegraph's political writer says tho Conservative leaders are genuinely anxious not to impair the national unity. Sir Herbert, in the course of a speech at Manchester, said he and his associates had accepted the invitation to remain in the Cabinet on the understanding that they should enjoy the liberty to speak, not mumble. It was essential that the House of Commons and the country should know the points of and reasons for the disagreement. Moreover, in securing freedom of vote in these matters a service had been rendered to a number of Conservatives who had pledged themselves to their constituents at the election to oppose taxes on food and raw materials. EFFECT IN AMERICA. EXPORT TRADE OF 1932. OPINIONS OF LEGISLATORS. (Received February 7. 5.3 p.m.) WASHINGTON. Feb. C.

Britain's proposed 10 per cent, tariff would affect almost £90.000.000 worth of American exports should Britain import about the samo amount of poods from the United States in 1332 as in 1931. A difference of opinion exists among members of Congress as to the reasons for tlie British tariff policy. Mr. R. Smoot, Republican member of the Senate for Utah, says:—"We cannot complain of any tariff legislation passed by Britain, nor of any other legislation she sees fit to enact. This is in no way a retaliation against the present United States Tariff Act. Britain merely recognises the principle of a tariff."

On tlie other hand, another member of the Senate, Mr. P. Harrison (Democrat, Mississippi), says:—"lt is just another evidence of tariff reprisals and foreign retaliations against the narrow and unwise policy of the United States." THE NEW DUTIES. OPERATION ON MARCH 1. DOMINIONS' GOODS FREE. British Wireless. RUGBY, Feb. 3. The complete schedule of imported goods to bo exempted from the 10 per cent, duty which is to come into force on March 1 will remain undisclosed until the Trade Bill is discussed next week. Loud cheers greeted the announcement by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, in the House of Commons, that neither the general tariff ngr the new specific (futies, which are to be passed on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee, would apply to goods from the Dominions; at least, pending the results of the Empire Economic Conference at Ottawa in July; and that all produce from the colonies, protectorates and mandated territories would also be exempt. In the subsequent debate. Sir Herbert Samuel, Home Secretary, as an alternative, advocated the formation of an industrial commission to frame reorganisation schemes, pending which, he said, he was prepared to give a measure of protection on the lines conferred by the Dyestuffs Act. Except for the general tariff, he supported the Government's agricultural policy. While he was prepared to accept protection as a means ot reorganisation, lie would reject it as an end in itself.

The Times say" The certainty of a measure oi protection for British industries against competitors less heavily handicapped should give them the stimulus and confidence they need. It rests with them to justify the great experiment tile Government is making, and to make it the beginning of a real revival of British prosperity." The Daily Mail says it considers the Government has made a, splendid contribution to prosperity and approves of the flexibility of its proposals. The Daily Express sees in tlieiu the birth of Empire free trade.

DOMINIONS' MEAT. SCHEME FOR PREFERENCE. PROPOSED DUTY ON FOREIGN. LONDON, Feb. 3. A committee representing the meat interests of New Zealand :mil Australia has formulated a scheme combining the tariff and quota systems. Tn regard lo imported meat it is suggested that Britain should impose a duty of one ponuv a lb. on certain foreign countries and a farthing 011 others, while meat from the Dominions Le allowed to enter free. The National Farmers' Union and other representative bodies support the plan, which will be forwarded to the delegations to the Ottawa Confeiencft. Sugar is among the imports already taxed which the tariff plan does not affect, but it. is understood that it is likely that the next Budget will contain an additional duty on ' foreign sugar, automatically giving Queensland and the colonies preference.