FREE STATE & EMPIRE.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18777, 27 October 1932, Page 7

FREE STATE & EMPIRE.

OTTAWA AGREEMENT. PROVrSION FOR PREFERENCE. GLOOM IN DUBLIN, United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. LONDON, Oat. 26. The Ottawa Agreements Bill now before the House of Commons provides that the Irish Free State shall oontinue. to enjoy preferences, both under the older duties and the new Ottawa duties, as long as the British special duties on Irish goods "for the recovery of moneys due remain in force. Politloal writers indicate that as no agreement was made with the Free State at Ottawa many people believed there would be no preference for Irish goods after the expiry date, November 15. < Bank of Ireland and Guinness Brewery shares fell sharply on the Dublin Stock Exchange, the correspondent of the Times states, and Dublin is gloomy concerning the outlook. Business is at a standstill. Mr. De Valera is not likely to seek a general election. Labour, while deploring the Government’s sooi&l policy, fears to challenge it, as an eleotion would mean Labour’s annihilation. The Government may introduce a supplementary Budget to counteract the heavy Anancial losses, resulting from the 1 economic war with Britain. The Income taxpayer Is most likely to suffer, as the bulk of Mr. De Valera’s supporters pay none. A rate of 7s 6d in the pound is possible.