NEW BRITISH TARIFF

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17639, 1 December 1931, Page 7

NEW BRITISH TARIFF

EFFECT ON FRANCE MINISTER IN BRITAIN RUGBY, Nov. 28. The French Foreign Minister, M. Flandm, arrived in London this morning. lie is joining a shooting party as the guest of his friend, Sir Gorner Derr), but it is expected that lie wall use the occasion of his visit to discuss, informally, with appropriate Ministers various current questions, including the tariff issue. The French Ministry of Commerce last night issued a communique referring to the effect of the restrictive measures taken by the British Government upon French exports, and expressing the intention ol' the French Government to negotiate an agreement safeguarding the interests of both countries.

The rush of foreign exporters to get goods into Britain before the abnormal importations orders came into operation is 'reflected in the Board of Trade ligures just issued. They show that so far as the commodities affected by the order are concerned, the imports for the first 10 days of November equal and sometimes exceed the imports for October, while the figures for the period from October 1 to November 10 arc on the average double the total imports for the complete months of October and November last year. The newspapers give prominence to M. Flandin’s meeting with members of Cabinet, which is popularly associated with France’s desire to negotiate a new commercial Anglo-British treaty as speedily as possible. Protectionist organs point out that it will be necessary for Britain to move warily. No preferential treaty must be concluded before the Imperial Conference.

The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent opines that M. Flandin is exploring the ground preparatory to negotiations which M. Robin proposes to initiate regarding anti-dumping duties. Paris is most anxious to prevent the imposition of further duties on French wines and perfumery, and also to see sterling stabilised at as high a level as possible. The Bank of France is willing to grant liberal loans and credits for this purpose.

ACTION BY ITALY PROTECTION MEASURES ROME, Nov. 30. Britain’s anti-dumping measure suggests a new scheme for the protection of Italian agriculture. Following up the drastic increases in the tariff on manufactures, agriculturists have appealed to Signor Mussolini similarly to protect agriculture. Signor Mussolini has agreed that new duties should be imposed on wheat, cattle, and other products, but farming is warned that it must not exploit the consumer behind a tariff wall. TARIFFS NOT DISCUSSED M. FLANDIN’S MISSION (Received Dec. 1, noon.) PARIS, Nov, 30. “Not a word was breathed of customs (Lillies, which are outside my department,’’ M. Flandiiu told an interviewer of La Journal.