PREFERENCE ISSUE

Southland Times, Issue 21220, 22 October 1930, Page 5

PREFERENCE ISSUE

DOMINIONS’ OFFER

SUPPORT FROM EMPIRE CRUSADERS LORD BEAVERBROOK’S APPEAL (United Frees Aeso.—By Telegraph—CopyrlrjM.) (Rcc. 5.5 p.m.) London, October 20. "I am prepared to make Mr Baldwin an offer enabling the restoration of. Conservative unity,” said Lord Beaverbrook at a meeting in support of Vice-Admiral Taylor, the Empire Crusaders’ candidate for the South Padding by-election. “The Empire Crusaders, like the Dominion Prime Ministers, want duties on foreign foodstuffs and hate the quota proposal. 1 am prepared on behalf of the Crusaders to accept the offer of the dominion delegates in the identical terms of Mis Baldwin’s original acceptance. Wo are prepared tz> leave the interpretation of the offer to the dominion Prime Ministers. Will Me Baldwin do the same?”

He added that he wanted South Paddington to say “0.K.” to the Imperial Conference and show the. Conservative hierarchy that it need not be afraid of going to the electors with duties on foreign foodstuffs.

In a statement on the speeches of the dominion Prime Ministers at a recent session of the Imperial Conference, in the course of which an offer of Imperial preference was made, Mr Baldwin said: “They are amongst the most momentuous declarations in the history of Imperial relations, and it is a matter for profound regret that no lead of any kind should bo given by the British Government. It is all the more satisfactory, despite the absence in that direction, that the dominions should have shown themselves of one mind. Mr Bennett’s striking offer cannot fail to create a great impression throughout the country and the Empire. The Conservative Party-unhesitatingly subscribes to the great principles of preference -embodied therein aL UNFOUNDED RUMOUR ’ 10 PER CENT IMPORT DUTY. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, October 20. “An unfounded rumour has appeared in the newspapers that the Government is considering an all-round 10 per cent, import duty for revenue,” said Mr Snowden, Chancellor of the Exchequer, at a free trade demonstration at Manchester. ‘‘No Government in which I am Chancellor will ever seriously consider such a criminal proposal.”