TARIFF DEBATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21115, 24 February 1932, Page 9

TARIFF DEBATE.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. PREFERENCE TO DOMINIONS HOPE FOR RECIPROCITY. FREE ACTION AT OTTAWA. MEASURE WELCOMED. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. (Received February 23. 5.. r i p.m.) LONDON", Feb. 2?. The debate on (he Import Duties Bill was continued in the House of Commons to-day. Major H. L. Nathan (Liberal —Bethnal Green North-East) moved an amendment to put (he Dominions on the same footing as foreign countries. He said that in no way was ho insulting the Dominions, but he considered Britons should be first. If imports were damaging Britain's balance of trade they were equally injurious whether from the Dominions or from from foreign countries. Tho Secretary for the Dominions, Mr. J. H. Thomas, said the coming Ottawa Conference was vital to the Empire. Let them do their utmost to create a good atmosphere. Let them all go there to see what they could throw into a common pool for the benefit of all. "We will do all we can to foster the Imperial spirit," said Mr. Thomas. "It is now up to the Dominions to respond. Do not hamper us by making the conference an absurdity from the start. Not a Voice Favours Amendment. Mr. P. A. Harris (Liberal—Bethnal Green South-west) said ho agreed that nothing should be said which could be interpreted as an unfriendly gesture to any part of tho British Commonwealth. The Dominions were faced by an even more difficult task than Britain's and they looked to Britain to help them. If Mr. Thomas at Ottawa demanded as a quid pro quo that Australia should remove all her tariffs on British manufactures she would answer: " Australia first. We are going to maintain the tariff wall high enough to protect our own industries. What you are offering is neither tangible nor material." Tho bonds of the Empire would be weakened not strengthened by haggling in the market-place, said Mr. Harris. Earl Winterlon (Conservative —West Sussex) said Mr. Nathan should have shown a sense of responsibility in regard to the effect of his amendment in the Dominions. The amendment was defeated without division. Not a voice was raised in its favour. Liberal on Dominions' Obligations. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, moved an amendment to provide that the general ad valorem and any additional duties should not be changeable or chargeable below tho full rate upon goods from any part of the Empire. This amendment was adopted. Major G. Lloyd George (Independent Liberal—Pembroke) : " We have already done a great deal for the Dominions. In 1929 only 5 per cent, of our exports went to Canada, 7 per cent, to Australia, 3 per cent, to New Zealand, and just over 4 per cent, to South Africa. Yet 25 per cent, of Canada's exports, 38 per cent, of Australia's, 75 per cent, of New Zealand's, 49 per cent, of South Africa's came to Britain. "There must be plain talk at Ottawa. The Dominions must be told that wo have received better treatment from some foreign countries than from some of the Dominions. For instance Argentina admTTs steel rails' free, but Australia charges 50s a. ton on them. In such cases foreign countries ought to bo treated on the same terms as the Dominions." Plain Talk to the Dominions.

Mr. Thomas said the Government would lose no chnneo of doing business either with the Dominions or with foreigners. It, Tielieved that (he proposed preferences were the first necessary step to increased trade. The Minister said lie wanted to make it clear tiiat file Government was giving the preferences with the deliberate intention of creating the necessary atmosphere for the success of the Ottawa Conference. The Government would not bo unmindful of Britain's interests nor of its duty toward foreign trade. The Dominions had made it plain that their policy was: "Our own Dominion first." Britain could not complain, but she was entitled to tell the Dominions at Ottawa: " It is no good talking about preference when your duties are, so high that nobody can climb over them." CANADIAN PROPOSAL. DUTY ON RAW WOOL. PARLIAMENTARY RESOLUTION. (Received February 2lt, 6.55 p.m.) OTTAWA. Feb. 22. The Canadian Hotiso of Commons this evening voted in favour of a duty on raw wool. A resolution was passed calling for a tariff which would reasonably protect Canadian woolgrowers.