OPPONENT OF TARIFFS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21358, 6 December 1932, Page 10

OPPONENT OF TARIFFS

AN ENGLISH VIEWPOINT BRITAIN AND WAR DEBTS Although the British Government has recently adopted a protectionist policy, the belief is still generally held in England that tariffs must eventually strangle trade, according to Mr. A. Kay-Menxies, a Lancashire business man, who arrived at Auckland by the Monterey yesterday on a holiday visit. "Although we are all hoping to see a stronger Imperial bond come into being as the result of the Ottawa Conference, we in Kngland are not really enamoured of tariffs," Mr. Kay-Menzies said. "If the countries of the world would only realise that a lowering of tariff barriers would increase, (he (low of trade the way would lie open for permanent economic improvement." In spite of the fact that the country was off the gold standard England to-day was probably in the best position of any country io the world, Mr. Kay-Menzies continued. There was no desire on the part of Great Britain not. to meet her debt obligations to the United States. Americans would doubtless see before long (ho wisdom of an all-round reduction in debts. The suggestion that Britain's December instalment should bo paid in silver was worthy of consideration, as the adoption of a silver standard would certainly assist in promoting better trade. Mr. Kay-Menzies is a. brother of Sir Frederick Kay-Menzies, director of the London County Council's medical service, who visited New Zealand earlier this year. A\ith his son, he wiil spend live weeks in (he Dominion before making a tour of Australia and the Far East. "My brother was loud in lii.s pra.ises of New Zealand," he said, "and I have no doubt, that, after a few weeks I shall be tolling him that he under-stated his case." 1