, 1921-10-07
PROTECTION THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

The generaI policy OF the several countrles OF the
world is leaning strongly to protective tariff. Coun-
tries that heretofore deemed a tariff unnecessary are
now adopting some form or other of protection in the
interest of their local production or to increase their
revenues.
A bill has been introduced in the Argentine con-
gress which provides for n 80 per cent increase iii Gus
toms duties on imported goods, with a 60 per cent in
crease on Injuries, effective three months after the
law is promulgated. Provision is made whereby the
executive is authorized to suspend the increase, wholly
or. in part, on merchandise originating IN countries
which provide for fair treatment in the way of du-
ties on Argentine cereals, hides and skins, WOOL live
stock, and subsidiary products of agriculture and pas
toral industry.
In Austria the tariff has been increased on a large
number of commodities by a law made effective on
July 20, 1921. 1t is stated that this law was passed
in accordance with a promise made by the govern
ment to the league Of nations to increase its revenue
bearing customs duties. Certain groups of goods have
been marked up to $50 times their former custom
house duties. Included in this group are coffee, tea,
cocoa, sugar. fruits, etc. This is known as Group 384.
IN Group $50 are a number of articles imported from
thu United States such as preserved fruits, MARINA
lade, rubber boots, high grade textiles, tires, water
proof wearing apparel, etc. Other Rods pay 100
times the pre-war duties, as do those in Group 3S6.
In British East Africa duties have been revised
upward and many American commodities viii be at
fected thereby. British Honduras has increased its
rates on dutiabie goods by 33 per cent, while the Brit
ish preferential rate of 10 per cent remains UNI
changed. In Jugoslavia the maximum rates have in
most cases been doubled. Rumania has raised her
duty rates, and the department of commerce is await
ing the final adoption of the recent Australian tariff
before publishing the complete text which will show
large increases in duty rates with Great Britain en-
joying a preferential in the Australian markets. Like
wise, in the Barbados, duty rates have been in
creased, but the Britons enjoy a preferential.
On August 9Th last the bill proposing an increase
of customs duties on automobiles and parts passed
the Czechoslovakian chamber of deputies providing du-
ties of 90 per cent of the purchase price. Czecho-
slovakia supports a licensing system under which, ac-
cording to the United States consul, "the class of
goods not usually allowed to be imported includes arti-
cles of luxury, and products manufactured in large
quantities in Czechoslovakia for export, such as choco-
late, furniture, paper, table glass, porcelain, mineral
waters, wooden fabrics, ETC." Bureaucratic protection.
Little Latvia has increased the duty rates on many
goods, but maintains low rates or free entry on ma
chinery, tools, and raw materials because of q short
age of those articles.
Attention was called to the fact some time ago that
after three quarters of a century of free trade Great
Britain had returned to the policy of protection by
way of a bill known as the Safeguarding of Indus
tries" law, which places duties on a wide range of arti-
eles equal to one-third the value of the goods. France
has marked up her rates and so has Japan.
These increases in tariff duties on the part of many
foreign countries have been recorded within the last
few months. Had the tax bill been taken up and dis
posed Of and a Republican tariff law been placed on
the American statutes six months ago there would
have been u great deal of free trade sophism to the