PREFERENCE TO DOMINIONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 84, 30 June 1927, Page 9

PREFERENCE TO DOMINIONS

LABOUR OPPOSITION WINE ON THE SCHEDULE APPROVAL BY COMMONS By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright LONDON, Tuesday. The committee stage of the Finance Bill was taken to-day in the House of Commons. On the clause to increase wine duties except on imports from other parts of the Empire, Mr. F. W. Pethick-Lawrence, Labour member of West Leicester, said the attempt to create a blood relationship by business bonds was objectionable. The best reciprocal action for the preference given by the Dominions was that British ships should continue to defend their shores and that Britain should allow them to float loans and secure special advantages on the British market. The member drew attention to the prohibitive Australian tariff against hosiery and other articles. He said that if they were going to have a bargain they, should have a good one. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Churchill, said it was better that preference should develop without hard and fast bargains. Preferences gained by means of a commercial treaty might result in serious tension in the event of a reversal of Parliamentarv policy. If preferences were free on both sides there would not be a question of Parliament being tied, and they would maintain the goodwill upon which they must continually rely to maintain the Empire. The Dominions had gratefully accepted the offer of preference on wine.

The clause was passed by 230 votes to 111.—A. and N.Z.-Sun.