INDIA'S TARIFF POLICY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16847, 25 September 1922, Page 7

INDIA'S TARIFF POLICY.

* REPORT OF FISCAL COMMISSION. PROTECTION advocated. By Telegraph-—Pres* Association—Copyright Renter’s Telegre ms. Tie carved September 25, 9.20 a. m.) I -ilil/.H 1, Sept era her 2-3. The report) of the India Fiscal Commission appointed to inquire into the tariff polioy of the Government of India., including the question of th? desirability of adopting the principle of Imperial Preference lias been issued. The report recommends the adoption of a policy of protection to bo applie 1 with discrimination, and proposes the constitution of a Tariff Board to investigate the claims of particular industries to protection. In regard go Imperial Preference, the Commission holds that any general system of preference to British pro duct* will involve a serious burden which it is unreasonable India ahouid shoulder. .Tt recommends that the Tariff Board should examine the question of particular commodities with a view to seeing whether preference on them should bo granted, the final decision to rest with the Legislature. The Indian cotton excise is condemned, and a recommendation is made with a view to enabling India to tackle the problem afresh with a clean slate. Tho principles of export duties were examined .and the conclusion drawn is that they should only be imposed for revenue purposes. The commission, however, oonAiders that under certain exceptional circumstances it may bo necessary to impose a temporary export duty on *ood grains, with n view to restricting the export. The report is unanimous, subject to minutes signed by a minority, who recommended an unqualified pronouncement in favour of protection, subject only to such discrimination as the Government and the Legislature may desire To exercise. They unreservedly condemn the cotton excise duties, and cannot agree to preference in favour of tho United Kingdom until complete* fiscal control is vested in non-official members of the legislature, and a.r.ot in favour of Dominion preference, even on the basis of reciprocity, until India’s people are admitted to a stains of complete equality.