DUTIES IMPOSED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20231, 15 February 1934, Page 1

DUTIES IMPOSED.

British Trade Reprisal Against France. EXTRA DUTY ENFORCED. British Official Wireless. RUGBY, February 13. The order imposing a duty of 20 per cent ad valorem over and above existing Customs duties upon certain classes of goods produced or manufactured in France took effect at midnight. It was felt, after examination of the note received from the French Government yesterday, that its contents did not justify the British Goverment making any further postponement. It is understood that the French Government’s note professes a strong desire to break the vicious circle of reprisals and to open conversations with the object of effecting an agreed settlement as soon as possible. The note intimated that, if the British Government persisted in its decision to impose additional duties, the trade agreements of 1826 and 1882, which accord most-favoured-nation treatment would be denounced subject to the necessary three months’ notice. The note showed no willingness to end the existing discrimination against British imports into France, which was the main cause of the retaliatory measures by the British Government. The note is still under examination in London and, when a reply is sent, it will probably intimate Britain’s readiness to enter into conversations for a new commercial treaty with France, immediately the discrimination is removed.

The subject will be reviewed in a statement bv the President of the Board of Trade, Mr Walter Runciman, in the House of Commons this afternoon.