PROTECTION

Wairarapa Daily Times, 23 January 1932, Page 5

PROTECTION

RUMOUR OF CRISIS CABINET DIVIDED. Press Association Electric Telegraph Copyrighi LONDON, Thursday. The “Daily Telegraph” states that there is a definite possibility of a Cabinet crisis over the tariff question. Today’s seven hours’ meeting did not yield a decision. It is understood that Lord Snowden and Sir Donald MacLcan strongly dissented from the Balance of Trade’s Committee’s recommendation.

The adoption of a tariff is regarded as a certainty. It is now a question whether Lord Snowden and Sir Donald Mac-Lean will resign.

Though the exact nature of the proposed tariff is not revealed, it is understood that the committee recommends a flat rate tariff OU manufactures and. 'Semi-manufactures with a graduation in some cases. The rate may be 10 to 15 per cent., which, in view of the depreciation of sterling, will give a much higher protection than ordinarily. The prolongation of the Cabinet meeting in view of the critical nature of the deliberations is not surprising. The Conservatives, at the end of the afternoon meeting, significantly assembled separately iu Mr. Baldwin’s house.

Until recently it was believed that Lord Snowden would subordinate his view to those of his colleagues, but his attitude has stiffened. Thus difficulties have arisen.

The Conservative view is that there can be no surrender as the policy of a tariff was frankly advocated at the election, when the majority in favour was overwhelming. IMPORT DUTIES. NATIONAL UNITY FIRST. (Received Saturday, 11.5 a.m.) LONDON, Friday.

A communique states that lack of Cabinet unanimity makes ,it impossible to adopt the sub-committee’s recommendation on the tariff. Cabinet, impressed with the paramount importance of maintaining national unity, lias decided that Ministers are unable, to support the majority of their colleagues’ conclusion on import duties, v