HELPING THE WORKER.

Wairarapa Age, 5 November 1930, Page 5

HELPING THE WORKER.

MR. NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN ON TARIFFS. LABOUR MINISTER’S SPEECH IN DEFENCE. DEPENDENCE ON FuliEK -l COUNTRIES. United Press Association. —By Electric Telegraph. —Copyright. (Received Tuesday, 9.10 p.m.) LONDON, November 3. In the House of Commons, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, in moving a Conservative amendment condemned the Government’s inaction in connection with unemployment. They were like a frightened puppy, glued to its kennel, snarling and snapping, but afraid to c:~ie out. ‘‘ We have a plan, ’ ’ he said, ‘ ‘ consisting of immediate protection in one form or another of the home market and ultimately of the economic unity of the whole Empire.” He was convinced that tariffs were the easiest and least disturbing form of protecting the home market, though they might not be applicable to some articles. The protection of the home market was the surest way of helping the worker.

Mr. W. Graham, President of the Board of Trade, replying, said the situation in Britain was grave, but twenty-one million people throughout Europe were receiving public relief, the majority of whom were in protectionist countries. The Government could not deal with the dumping of German and Russian wheat without renouncing commercial treaties. Remembering our dependence on foreign countries, Britain would be placed at a disadvantage if she entered into the game of tariffs with retaliatory duties. Referring to Mr. Bennett's offer, he pointed out that all the Dominions were protecting their own manufactures, and none were likely to agree drastically to reduce tariffs on articles of the greatest importance to the British manufacturer. We must remember our foreign trade obligations. Apart from tariffs, much could be done by what was described as voluntary preferences within the Empire. He* instanced Empire rationalisation, bulk purchases, import boards and improved marketing and added that these were being carefully analysed and discussed by the Government, which had not entered the Imperial Conference emptyhanded, though it might have suffered from failure to advertise its wares. The greatest contribution Britain could make in the voluntary field was a drastic reorganisation of the great industries like coal, iron, steel and cotton to meet the new conditions of world commerce.

Sir H. Samuel said the Government’s lack of activity in dealing with real distress made it difficult to co-operats with them, but the Liberals saw the real meaning of the amendment. Therefore, they would not support it. The debate was adjourned. LIBERALS’ ATTITUDE. (Received Tuesday, 11.55 p.m.) LONDON, November 4. Interest is manifested in all quarters concerning the attitude of the Liberals towards the Government. It is believed that Mr. Lloyd G'eorge is dissatisfied but hesitates to strike a blow involving a general election. Liberal Parliamentarians, meeting to consider their attitude towards the Conservative amendment on unemployment, to-night decided by a majority to abstain from the division.