The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-02-21
PREFERENCE TO
BE GIVEN COLONIES
New Industrial Policy Of Great Britain
Said to Restrict Neu-
trail Trade.

LONDON, Feb. 2l.-The long awaited
pert Of the Parliamentary committee
on commercial and industrial policy
recommends that preferences be given
products manufactured in the oversee
dominons III the present and future
tariff administration. 1t also demands
carly consideration of the proposal to
establish wide range of customs du-
ties to be RENTED on products of the
empire and to form the basis for com
mercial treaties with allies and neu-
trails.
The latter clause suggests the posi-
bility that, through reciprocity treaties,
the United States will receive inside
advantages, otherwise it will be strong
~ Disseminated against.
The plans TO restrict imports also is
aimed especially at the reduction of the
trade BALANCE in favor of America. The
agricultural mobilization, with the at
tendant efforts to expand farm produc
ton, is intended to decrease Great
Britain s depend nee on the outside
world as well as during the war, %
that the normal trade balance may be
more easily restored then.
The protectionists are increasing their
demand for tariffs, which the liberals
insist upon avoiding. They want the
restrictions on imports to continue long
after the close of the war. Leaders are
warning the nation that the highest
prices and the greatest privations-raal
economic pressure, in fact. will come
then.
In E.rl,4 Of
showing the necessity of stimulating
production Of foodstuffs, raw materials
and manufactures within the empire
for the safety and welfare of the m
pire as q whole, we recommend that
the government declare its adherence
to the principle Of imperial preference
in respect to any customs duties hero
after imposed on imports. Further
with view TO achieving this object
IL is advisable to taxi into colSid ara-
tion the desirabilitv Of establishing a
wider range of customs duties which
would be RENTED or reduced ON psod
/ ucts and manufactures of the empire
and which would form the basis of com
mcrcial treaties with allied and neutral
powers.
The report was issued in view of the
approaching imperial conference to be
held in London. The committee saEs
that although the resolution may, in
the abstract be distasteful as acting in
restraint of trade, Yet for the sake Of
unity of empire attempts should be
made 20 meet the declared wishes OF
the colonies and dominions.
The issue of the committees report
: g.. =. Il.
of free trade against protection. Tn
free trade element in Parliament is very
powerful and il expected it will press
for a day 10 discuss the resolutions
with a view of clieiting the govern
mcnt Is attitude toward them, and the
eosgnate Questions of the Paris confer
cncc resolutions.
The government will have difficulty,
il is believed. in meeting the conflict
| ing views of those contandiug that
/ free trade England has borne the strain
/ of the war better than protectioaist
! countries, and that the imposition OF
/ duties will offend allied countries, and
those of the party representing agrieul
tural interests who demand duties pro
/ tccting th, hom' food production
! which the war has shown to be imper
ativc for national security in the fu
4 tuc.
Lobby gossip in Parliament credits
to Premier Lloyd George the inteatior
to announce in Parliament Thursday il
addition to drastic restrictions on int
ports, new state policy with regar
to agriculture, greatly exceeding In,
war time cXpedient. 1t was said thai
the Prcmicr's policy viii have as m
tndeavor the creation of confdenc,
among farmers by submitting proposals.
indicating that the nation in thu futur,