§ MR. C. MCARTHUR (Liverpool, Exchange)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether, under the new Canadian preferential tariff, refined sugar, manufactured wholly from raw sugar produced in the British. Colonies, may be imported into Canada at a reduction of one-fourth from the duty charged on other refined sugars; whether he is aware that the Canadian refiners are endeavouring to neutralise this concession by a boycotting arrangement, under which they bind the wholesale grocers in Canada not to handle any imported refined sugar under pain of forfeiture of a rebate; and whether he will draw the attention of the Dominion Government to this endeavour to frustrate the operation of the new tariff as regards sugar?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES (Mr. J. CHAMBERLAIN,) Birmingham, W.The new Canadian tariff allows a reduction of 25 per cent. in the duty on refined sugar on production of satisfactory evidence that it has been manufactured wholly from raw sugar produced in the Britsh Colonies or possessions. I am not aware of any attempt to neutralise this concession such as the. honourable Member refers to, but I will make inquiry.