NEW BRITISH TAXES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17919, 25 October 1932, Page 11

NEW BRITISH TAXES

THE COMMONS DEBATE AMENDMENTS REJECTED (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Received October 23, 3 p.m.) LONDON, October 24. In the House of Commons, Mr. Tom Williams moved to delete tho provision taxing foreign wheat Hs a quarter, on the ground that it would raise the cost of food to the poorest classes. Mr. L. Hore-Bolisha, replying, said the tax was only equivalent to S per cent, ad valorem on half of our wheat imports. Even if tho whole importations of the Empire, as well, as foreign, was thus taxed it would only add ]d. to the -Jib. loaf. The Dominions could supply all our requirements of both soft and hard wheats, which would not be taxed. It they were unable to supply adequate quantities at the world price, tho new duty would lapse. Tho amendment was negatived by 230 votes to (18. Mr. <_!. Brown moved to exclude the proposed now duties on foreign butter, cheese, and eggs. The Dominions already wore capturing the market for these commodities, and did not need preferences. Mr. E. 11. Bickering said the new, together with (lit* former duty on bill ter meant 1-id. per lb., which was a serious food tax. Mr. E. L. Borgia said the provision was aimed at helping Homo and Dominion producers. .It provided that; after three years Dominion butter and eggs might also iTe taxed in the interest, of Die Home producer, provided the preference percentage was maintained. The cheese duly was not expected to increase retail prices. The amendment was negatived by 2-11 votes to (18. RESTRICTIONS ON MEAT Dr. Burg in informed Mr. G. Lambert that under the Ottawa agreement the imports of foreign mutton and iamb in the calendar year 1933 would bo 322,568 cut. less than in tho Ottawa standard year of July to June, while in the first half of 1934 there would be a reduction of 382,328 cwt. The corresponding figures for foreign beef would be 72,040cvvt. and 57,972 cwt. Mr. Rhys Davies moved an amendment to delete the meat quota provision from the Ottawa agreements. He complained that they only dealt with Australia and New Zealand, and left out South Africa, and failed to take account of British I agriculture. Sir Basil Reto declared that the arrangements were quite inadequate to deal with Die calamitous situation of the home producer. Mr. Malcolm MacDonald said the provision made at Ottawa had been agreed to by all the Dominion statesmen as the best means of raising unrernunerative price levels for the benefit of homo and Dominions’ producers. Mr. L. S. Arnery stated that the Ottawa schedule provided such a small reduction of foreign imports that the quota was inadequate to deal with the present critical position of British agriculture. The whole of the Ottawa agreemeats was meaningless unless backed by II j'*onctary _ policy stabilising sterling aud permitting the prices of primary products to rise to a payable standard. (Sir Herbert Samuel protested that the Government would be empowered, to eflect any restrictions in foreign meat supplies beyond those set out in the Ottawa agreements. This would seriously affect attempts to make trade treaties with tho Argentine, Brazil and Uruguay. The amendment was defeated by 285 votes to 68. Another amendment to make the'Government, undertake that there should he no rise in retail prices was refected bv 2,72 votes to 46. J