Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-11-24
BRITISH PREPARED
TO ACT ON DOLLAR
Chamberlain Says Trade Not
Seriously Affected by
Depreciation.
Nv the Associated Press.

LONDON, November "A. - Neville
Chamberlain, chancellor OF the ex-
chequer, made 1t plain yesterday that
the British government has done moth
ing to date to combat the fall OF the
American dollar below its old parity
with sterling, but that it Is prepared for
action If necessary.
The deprecated American dollar has
not. I'D to the present time, seriously
affected British trade" Mr.. Chamber
lain told the House of Commons.
He asserted there was every reason TO
suppose the policy of maintaining the
independence of sterling had the ap-
proval of manufacturing and export
Ing interests in Great Britain.
Pressed on this point, the chancellor
said he had received no representations
from these interests.
II think the best thing to do is to
await any representations that may be
made" he added.
Asked whether he we're satisfied with
the present position OF the British ex-
change equalization fund and how us
hook position compared with that OF
last year, the chancellor replied:
1.-The answer to the first question Is
Affirmative. With regard to the second,
/ cannot undertake to publish such IN
formation, as 1t would not be IN the
public interest"
walter Runciman, president of the
British Board of Trade, announced IN
the House of Commons, meanwhile,
that England would put higher tax
on French goods unless france re-
moved its surtax on English goods-
.roI1phly equivalent to the amount OF
d,scrin,ination against British goods by
France" ..,. 49,.
II was learned authoritatiVely tnat
Ar Runciman has been besieged 10
Give assurances that steps would De
taken to maintain the present export
advantages to countries maintaining tne
sterling standard. . -,
II was understood that group OF
Swansea businessmen had protested 10
Runciman against both the dollar ana
blocked marks, maintaining that Soutn
Wales would suffer severely unless plo-
tective measures were taken.
The Board of Trade president also
ras urged to prevent contracts being
made on the basis of cheap dollar, II
was learned.
He was said to have been warned py
The British Chamber of Commerce IN
Huenos Aires that Great Britain faces
the loss of her preferred markets IN
Argentina because of the fluctuations
of the dollar and the German mark.
Cheaper prices of British goods were
urged by the Buenos Aires representa-
tives as a solution to the problem.
In some quarters it was believed that
Increased tariffs would be instituted TO
Offset any benefits accruing to United
States exporters through the fall OF the
dollar
In this connection Mr.. Chamberlain
told the House of Commons that repre-
sensations could be made to the Tarih
Advisory Board. He said the dollar fluc-
tuations in some instances had wiped
out tariff protection.
The British Empire Producers Asso-
citation recently passed resolution urg-
ing united action in the matter by the
governments of the empire.
Sir Edward Dawson, chairman OF the
association, said today the aim of Presi-
dent Roosevelt was ito depreciate the
dollar in an endeavor to raise the in
ternational level of commodity prices"
If, the United States policy. Sir Ed
ward added does not bring comment
surate rise in commodity prices the re-
suit can only be a fall In world prices.
and serious dislocation Of the markets
within the empire. The results are al
ready apparent in the unsettlement OF
empire markets"