Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-03
ENGLAND STIRRED
| BY TARIFF. MOVES
Speculation Rife on Whether
Laborites Will Accept Bait
! for Protectionist Rates.
BY CARROLL BINDER.

NJ Rsdl6 TO The Star.
LONDON, England, october SWIM
the Labor government accept the pro-
tectionist bait offered Great Britain By
the dominions at the opening session
Of the imperial conference?
That Is the chief topic of speculation
IN England today. Neither Britishers
nor foreign students Of British policy
are able to answer, but the prevailing
opinion is that the Macdonald govern
ment is unlikely to give the dominions
as much as they ask-a protective tariff
system for Great Britain.
Many believe that though Labor will
not give the dominions the whole Loaf
of protectionism, it will give them q
ther preferences for dominion products
After all, the markets of the dominions
are highly desirable, and with British
industry in the present state, even q
nominally free trade government cannon
disregard the tempting offers Of trade
in exchange for preferences in the home
markets such as the overseas premiers
dangle before the British public IN
speeches published today.
Frankness Was Surprising.
The frankness Of the overseas demand
for reciprocity at the opening session
of the imperial conference yesterday
surprised everybody. The wiry little
laborite premier, James H. Scullin OF
Australia. talked like a merchant. Great
Britain imports $3,750, 900, 600 worth OF
agricultural products annually. said Mr-
Scullin.
"sixty-three per cent comes from
foreign countries, while 81 per cent
from within the empire declares Mr.
Scullin. 1.-THE overseas empire imports
S2.75O. 900 900 worth of manufactured
products. Great Britain cannot supply
everything, but certainly could compete
for half Of that sum Of business.
DESPITE the fact that we are only
5000, 900 people. Australia IS now second
to India as market for British goods:
This is due to the preference exercised
through tariffs, through voluntary
choice and through administrative
favors In behalf of British goods.
During 1927-192S, Australia never
theless purchased from foreign coln-
tries $225 .00o, 900 worth OF nlanuIsc.
tured goods which are Of q type that
Great Britain could manufacture. We
would like to see those supplied by
Great Britain or other parts OF the
Empire. In the event that the gov
eruments Of the Empire decide upon
definite forward policy Of imperial eco
nomic cooperation, Australia Is ready
to do It's part
Wants Equal Treatment.
sAustralia hopes to receive from
Great Britain treatment similar in eff
feet, If not in method, to that which
she already affords Great Britain and
which she Is prepared to afford in even
larger measure. We understand. OF
course, that as we give British manu-
features second place to our own output
SO Great Britain must be expected to
give her first place to her farmers
But we hope to be given some advant-
age over foreign competitors"
There could be no clearer warning
10 Great Britain concerning the terms
on which British automobiles, for ex-
ample, may capture the markets nov
dominated by American motor cars
Great Britain must give AUSTRALIAN
wheat and wool q better market thar
she gives Argentine wheat.
Take the sturdy Dutchman, Gen
J. B. NJ. Hertzog, premier OF South
Africa, who was even5nore plain spoken
He admitted Great Britain's right tc
decide for herself whether to be free
Africa's anxiety about the prospective
abolition by Great Britain Of certain
tariff benefits now existing. If Philip
Snowden, chancellor of the exchequcr
should carry out his threats to abolish
British preferences on fruits, wine, TO-
bacco and sugar, IT, would be heavy
If not fatal blow to South African
agriculture, which already is in sorry
state. Gen. Hertzog intimated, mention
ing names,
He implied that South Africa woult
In turn alter her present policy, which
affords Great Britain a most valuabls
market. AS a matter of fact, South
Africa has recently signed q treaty
with Germany, which seriously ilnpairs
the British commercial position there.
Hope for Cooperation.
The delegates from New Zealand ant
Newfoundland refrained from sucl
language, but stressed their hopes foi
closer empire economic cooperation.
All this disturbs the protectionists
They argue that with the dominions II
this mood a protectionist British gov
eminent could strike some wonderful
bargains. But the Morning Post toda.
sadly concludes that the Labor Gov