The sun., 1917-02-21
PREFERENCE TO
AID COLONIES
British Industrial Policy Re-
port Puts Restriction on I'm
ports From Neutrals.
Special Cab,. D.spo,cb 10 Tpr suy


LONDON. Feb 20.--The long awaited
report of the Parliamentary committee
on commercial and Industrial policy
recommends that preference be given
products manufactured in the oversee
dominions In the present and future
tariff administration. 1t also demands
early consideration Of the proposal to
establish a wide range of customs duties
TO be remitted on products of the empire
and to form the basis for commercial
treaties with allies and neutrals.
The latter clause suggests the poss-
bility that, through reciprocity treaties.
the United States will receive inside adj
vantages. Otherwise 1t will be strongly
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 produce
ton, Is intended to decrease Great
Britain's dependence on the outside
world after as we'll as during the war.
so that the normal trade balance may be
more easily restored then.
Long Restrictions Urged.
The protectionists are increasing their
demand for tariffs. which the Liberals
insist upon avoiding. They want the re-
strictions on imports to continue long
after the close Of the war. Leaders are
warning the nation that the highest
prices and the greatest privations-real
economic pressure, in fact, will come
then.
The gist Of the report. which Is
signed by Lord Balfour OF Burleign'
Arthur J. Balfour. Foreign Secretary !;
Lord Faringdon. chairman OF the Great
Central Railway; George j. Wardie.
Labor Member of Parliament: SIR
Charles Parsons, president of the Brit
ish Association for the Advancement OF
Science. and others, follows:
"In the light OF our war experience.
showing the necessity to stimulate pro-
duction Of foodstuffs, raw materials ana
manufactures within the empire Tor tho
safety and welfare OF the empire as
whole, we recommend that the Govern
ment declare its adherence to the prihci-
pie Of imperial preference in respect 10
any customs duties hereafter imposed on
imports. Further. with a view to achiev-
ing this object. 1t Is advisable to take
into consideration the desirabillty OF es-
tablshing wider range or customs
duties which would be RENTED or re-
duced on products and manufactures OF
the empire and which would form the
basis Of commercial treaties with aliieo
and neutral Powers"
"For Unity of Empire"
The report was issued in view OF the
annroaching imperial conference TO he
held in London. The committee says
that although the resolution may. IN the
abstract, be distasteful as acting in re-
! strain Of trade yet for the sake OF unity
! OF empire attempts should be made 'c
meet the declared wishes Of the colonies
! and dominions.
The issue Of the committees report
| is likely to revive the political con-
I nict of free trade against protection
! The free trade element in Farliamen'
| is very powerful. and it is expected II
will press for day to discuss the reso'
| lutions with a view OF eliciting the Ho'
ernments attitude toward them, anc
the cognate questions Of the Paris con-
| ference resolutions.
Drastic Restrictions Soon.
The Government will have difficulty. i
is believed, in meeting the confictin<
views OF those contending that free trad'
England has borne the strain OF the wa
better than protectionist countries. an'
that the imposition OF duties Will oHent
allied countries, and of those of th'
party representing agricultural Interests
who demand duties protecting the hom'
food production. which the war ha
shown to he imperative for national sc
! curity in the future.
| Lobby gossip in Parliament to-nigh
credited to Premier Lloyd George the in
tention to announce in Parliamen
Thursday. in addition to drastic restric
tions on imports. a new state policy will
regard to agriculture greatly exceeding
the war time expedient. 1t was said tina
the Premier's policy will have as an en-
deavor the creation of confidence amoni
farmers by submitting proposals indi
eating that the nation in the future will
recognize agriculture as an essential In
dustry.