AT THE CROSS ROADS.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15361, 9 October 1923, Page 5

AT THE CROSS ROADS.

CONSERVATIVES' POLICY. PREFERENCE AND PROTECTION. FIGHT OF FIRST MAGNITUDE,Australian and N.Z. Cable Assn. Received October 9, 11.30 a.m. LONDON. October 8. The Daily Express 'features an article headed "At the Cross' Roads," in which it suggests that as as conse. quence of the Imperial Conference, the Conservative Party is on the eve of another campaign based on preference and protection, including food taxes. The Express' says:—"All the Dominion Premiers live under protection, but no Dominion ■ except New Foiindland taxes food, some because they grow more than they consume, but they have come to London to ask us to tax food. That as a plain truth, however reluctant they and wc are to confess it .openly. Australia is 1 buoyed up on a strong hope that Britain will in future buy more Australian meat instead of Argentine and American, but this horrid fact is certain—both the public and wholesalers prefer chilled Argentine to frozen Australian. To put the case crudely and briefly, Australia wants us to tax foreign meat in order that she mayundersell the foreigner, or at any rate level up her distance; she wants us also to increase the tax-on dried fruits against the foreigner. Africa wants us to give her oranges', maize and other products preference over Denmark. Meanwhile the British farmers demand a minimum wheat price and the total prohibition of imports of foreign potatoes, peas, and fruit, when the Home market is glutted. They go even further than Australia, which puts a prohibitive duty on bananas. Many members of the Government are becoming convinced that the whole hog of protection, including food taxes', is no longer unpopular even with the Labour Party. This means a political fight oT the first magnitude. The Conservative Party is back to the old crisis, and if at plumps for pre. fcrenco Mr Bonar Law's election pledges will necessitate a general election."