TRADE AND TARIFFS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6383, 4 December 1907, Page 7

TRADE AND TARIFFS.

ME CHAMBERLAIN. SAYS BRITAIN’S FUTURE DEPENDS ON REFORM. FRAN CO-CAN ADI AN TREATY. By Telegraph—Pro,, Association— Copyright LONDON, December 2. Mr Joseph Chamberlain, writing to the West Birmingham Un’onist Association, says bo hopes before long to resume his place in the front rank of the fight for Unionism, and the policy wherefor it now stands, j He is, ho remarks, more than ever I convinced that the country’s future depends on tariff reform. None would profit more than the workers, who aro at present called upon to fight comipotitors at a disadvantage—with their hands tied behind their hacks. Mr W. A. S. Howins, secretary to tho Tariff Commission, states that the Franco Canadian Convention materially reduces the margin of British preference. If other Continental countries arc given the benefit of the intermediate tariff, British trade in the Canadian market will bo subjected to far more strenuous competition than at present. COMMONWEALTH DUTIES. HOW WOOLLEN IMPOSTS AFFECT HUDDERSFIELD. LONDON, December 2. Mr Lloyd-George, President of the Board of Trade, recently invited ‘he Huddersfield Chamber of Commerce to give an opinion upon the matter oi tho Australian duty on woollen goods. , The chamber has replied to the effect that in its opinion tho increase of the duty on such goods must necessari'y ho prejudicial to Huddersfield, but, as tho chamber recognises tho absolute right of the Commonwealth to foster its own, industries and judge tiho amount of duties necessary, it does not consider it desirable to offer any opinion regarding tho duties.

KEROSENE ON THE FEDERAL FREE LIST.

’ SYDNEY, December 3. The Federal House has restored kerosene to the free list.

Tho duty proposed, on packages containing less than ten giiJiona, was 3d per gallon.