TARIFF WAR WITH FREE STATE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19665, 6 December 1933, Page 7

TARIFF WAR WITH FREE STATE

EXCHANGE OF NOTES PROCEEDING

IMPORTANT ISSUES BEFORE LEADERS

United Press Association— By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

(Received December 5, 7,30 p.m.) LONDON. December 5.

In- the House of Commons, Major L. Hore Belisha, Financial Secretary to the Treasury, moved approval of the various alterations in the British tariffs on Free State products, notably a reduction of duty on live sheep and lambs from 12/- to 10/- each. He pointed out there had been a tendency to transfer the live animal trade into the meat trade. It was proposed to raise the duties on meat to the same level as live animals. The orders were approved by 137 votes to 35. PURPOSE OF DUTIES MINISTER'S REPLY TO QUESTIONS British Official Wireless RUGBY, December 4. Questioned in the House of Commons whether the duties now imposed on products from the Irish Free State entering Britain, are sufficient to make good the loss suffered by the British taxpayer by reason of the default of the Irish Free State on land annuities, Mr Thomas said that up to April 1, 1933, the total default amounted to £4,774,000. For the period April 1 to November 30, 1933, the sum of £2,579,000 was still owing. The total amount collected in duties from imports from the Irish Free State up to April 1 was £2.518,000. From that date to November 25, the sum of £3,054,000 had been collected in duties.

Replying to a supplementary question, Mr J. H. Thomas explained in regard to the outstanding deficiency of about £2,000,000, that the British Government did not impose import duties for many months after default first arose, hoping and believing that the Irish Free State would meet her obligations. REPUBLIC OR FREE STATE ELECTION ISSUE SUGGESTED Onlted Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright DUBLIN, December 4 Mr de Valera’s latest Note asks for further information on certain of Mr Thomas’s statements of November 14. notably whether the Free State has liberty to choose between the British Commonwealth and a Republic, without a threat of British aggressive hostility. It is believed that when he receives the reply, Mr de Valera will immediately dissolve the Dail, and go to the country with a definite issue— Republic or Free State. The Voice of Commerce. Addressing the Dublin Chamber of Commerce, the Irish Free State Finance Minister, said it was the earnest desire of the Free State Government that the relations between the peoples of Ireland and Great Britain, who had a community of interests, should be amicable and cordial. REPORT ON BRITAIN S L EARLY STATEMENT FORECASTED British Official Wireless RUGBY, December 4. It is understood that the Cabinet has approved the reply to the Note recently received by Mr J. H. Thomas from Mr de Valera. The Note asked for a statement regarding the British Government’s attitude towards the declaration of an Irish Republic. The terms of the reply will be disclosed in both Houses of Parliament to-morrow. The statement in the House of Commons will be made in reply to a question, and in the House of Lords the subject will be raised by Lord Danesfort. who will ask whether, in view of Mr de Valera’s recent demand that the British Government should acquiesce in the declaration of a Republic, the Government will give an undertaking that they will not tolerate any interference with the status of Irish loyalists.