The Wenatchee daily world. [volume] (Wenatchee, Wash.) 1905-1971, 1909-03-22
CUSTOM DUTIES Of
FRENCH REPUBLIC
A TARIFF REVISION rs PROPOs-
ED AND TT Is THOUGHT THAT
AMERICAN TRADE WILL BE
SERIOUSLY AFFECTED.

proposed tariff revision in this coun.
try. France proposes to revise its
tariff, and In the changes to be made
the United States is vitality interest
ed. If the proposed French tariff bill
should be enacted into law in its
present shape, American trade will
be injuriously affected.
Contrary to the usual custom, the
measure had it's origin In the tariff
committee of the French Chamber of
Deputies, and the attitude Of the gov
eminent toward it, therefore, has not
formally been defined in Parliament,
The probabilities are, however, that
the bill will undergo a number of
changes before it is finally enacted
into law, which, it is expected, will be
about the first part of next year.
Some interesting facts in regard to
the new measure are cleaned from a
compilation entitled PROPOSED New
Cusctoms Tariff of France" prepared
by N. l. Stone, tariff expert of the
department of Commerce and Labor,
the object of which is to indicate the
proposed changes of tariff rates on
goods which the United States either
exports to France or could export un-
der favorable conditions
Taking up articles covered by the
existing Franco-American. agree
ment it is found that the following
are affected by the proposed changes.
Canned meats. 1t is proposed to adj
vance the general rate of 20 francs
per 100 kilos to 80 francs, an in
crease of so per cent, while leaving
the minimum rate of Is francs I'M
changed. While the agreement re-
mains in force, the proposed change
would, therefore, not affect Ameri-
can canned meats.
Fresh Apples and Pears.-Under
the existing agreement these fruits
are admitted at the rate of two francs
per 100 kilos. 1t is proposed to ad-
vance the minimum rate to 5 francs,
an increase of $50 per cent, and to
increase the general rate from 5 to
8 francs. Should the increase of
these and the other minimum rates
covered by the existing agreement
lead to its abrogation, it would re-
suit in an increase from the present
minimum rate of two francs to the
new general rate of 8 francs, which
would raise the duty fourfold. 1t is
proposed to increase the minimum
rate on hops from 80 to 40 francs,
and the general from As to so francs
per 100 kilos.
Far more numerous are the tariff
changes on articles which are not af-
fected by the commercial agreement
at present in force between France
and this country. In proposing the
many changes, the French Commits
sion was guided by the object OF
making the difference between the
general and the minimum rates about
SO per cent on the average, being
considerably higher than the differ
ence in the present tariff, the purpose
being to make it worth while for
foreign countries to negotiate reel.
procity treaties for the application OF
the minimum rates.
AS all the important commercial
countries except the United States en-.
Joy the benefit of the entire minimum
tariff in France, the changes already
mentioned would affect injuriously
imports from the United States only
and would still further aggravate the
disadvantages under which American
products must compete with prod
ucts from other countries in thu
French market Among the more i'm
portant of these changes the follow
ing may be mentioned, the rate be
ing given in francs per 100 kilos:
| Meat extracts, general rate In
creased 40 to As francs: cotton seed
now admitted free, to be subject t.
duty of $50 francs; peanuts, nov
admitted free. to be subject to dut.
of $50 francs. and preserved vege
tables. duty increased from 30 to 3.
francs
Even more disadvantageous Z,
American trade are the PROPOSED
changes. which. while Increasing thu
general rates to which America,
goods are subject. contemplate re
duction Of the minimum rates which
are applicable to imports from IA
vored countries. AS instances o
such changes the following may b.
mentioned: Heavy agricultural ma
chinery. weighing over 400 kilos. To-
which 1t is. proposed to Increase tn,
general rate from Is to Is francs
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