The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-03-06
A DUTY ON SUGAR
BRITAIN's CHANCELLOR ABOUT TO
PROPOSE ONE
A CONSERVATIVE MOVEMENT.
MAY ALSO ADD a COUNTERvAILING
DUTY.

The Information Comes From n Re-
liable source-WOuld he a Depart
ure From EnEIand's Time e-HOnOrcd
Principles of Free Trade and
WouId Excite Much Opposition.
Success of American System Re-
sponsibIe-And the Government In
in Need of Funds.
London, March 5.-"The Chancellor of
the Exchequer" (slr Michael Hicks
Beach,. said a prominent member OF the
House of Commons 90 a representative of
the Associated Press tonight will
probably introduce a duty on sugar in
the forthcoming budget and viii, per-
haps, also ada countervailing duty"
A member of the ministry said:
Il can only say that this serious de-
parture from England's historic princi-
pies of free trade is under discussion, as
the provisions of the budget are rellg
iously kept secret until announced In the
House Of Commons. However, If sugar
is not taken off the free list, there will
be large number of disappointed Con-
servatlves; on the other hand, the intro
duction of such a motion will meet with
the most fierce opposition upon the part
of the Liberals, and all the champions OF
free trade. The movement in favor of
such step is due to the almost utter
decay of England's refining industry; to
the careful study of the success of Amer
iGan sugar under the present system, and
fT fI,a .aff 30,
raise funds by other means than increas-
ing the already enormous direct taxation.
For some time an influential committee
of the House of Commons has been deal
ing with the subject After the recent
controversy between Russia and the Unit
ed States over sugar this committee de-
cided to make the matter one of debate
in the House of Commons, March 4, Mr..
James Reid, member of the House of
Commons from Greenock, the center of
the sugar refining industry, was appoint
ed spokesman, but at the last moment Mr..
Balfour was obliged to cancel his con-
sent owing to the necessity of giving
all the houses time to the debate on sup
piles"
MIR. James Reid, in an interview with
a representative of the Associated Press
said
What we hope to get, though | am
refiner myself, is a countervailing duty
which will nullify the bounties afforded
by France, Germany and Belgium. do
not think a tax or countervailing duty
will seriously AFFECT the American sugar.
II Is chiefly aimed at the cheap beet su-
gars of the continent. which. thanks to
the subsidy. can underselk anything pro
0uced here.
''The West Indian people are also Sc
riously affected and are giving us the
full weight of their influence. The chief
opposition comes from the English con-
fectoners and other users of cheap su-
Gars
I'm case the United States government
should subsidiZe American bottoms
think their sugar cargoes would be dan
gerously near coming under our proposed
countervailing duty. We are far from de-
sirous of embracing the whole American
policy of protection but you have GER
tainly taught us lesson regarding sugar,
and so long as the continent insists upon
subsidizing sugar to ruin our Industries,
we are bound to retaliate,"
Evidently the government is preparing
the way for such departure.