EMPIRE SUGAR SUPPLIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXI, Issue 19009, 9 May 1924, Page 5

EMPIRE SUGAR SUPPLIES

PREFERENCE PROPOSAL DEFEATED. LONDON, May 7. Proposals to stabilise preference on Empire sugar at 51Jd per cwt., for one year, as compared with ten years, recommended at the Imperial Conference, were made in an amend ment moved by Sir Mitchell Thomson in the course of the Budget discussit n, Sir Mitchell Thomson, speaking to his amendment, pointed out that the effect of the Budget proposals would be to reduce the preference proposals to Is 11 Id per cwt., and he contended that preference in the pas: had resulted in an increase of Empire sugar production from 18 per cent., of the world’s production in 11)13 to 22 per cent., last year. He compared the preference of 33s lOd a ton given by Dr’l'Jn to the Wes. Indies with £lO 5s given by tub uuicea States to Porto Rico. Pte niainuunea that the expansion of the Empire sugar industry -was essential politically, fiscally, commercially and Imperially. Captain Ormsby Gore, in seconding, maintained that the Secretary for the Colonies had failed lamentamy in not impressing on the Chancellor of the Exchequer the consideration of West Indies and Mauritius interests, which demanded stabilisation by preference. The worst feature, of the Budget was the repudiation of responsibility to tropical Crown Colonies. Mr. Snowden, Chancellor of the Exchequer, in opposing the amendment, said the total Empire production only increased ten per cent, in three years since preference began to operate, while the West Indies, for which a special plea was entered, had actually decreased production. Preference simply meant a subsidy by British taxpayers to the West Indies planters. It had disastrously roduced the production of Empire sugar by 25 per cent. Lord Percy, on behalf of the Opposition, protested against the Government acting contrary to the nledgo to take a free vote on the Economic Conference’s resolutions. Mr. Graham replied thaf'tho pledge only concerned the forthcoming debate on the Imperial Conference sugar resolution, which was confirmed unaltered. The amendment, was rejected bv .43 to 182.