§ Mr. LONSDALEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he is aware that the new Japanese tariff, which comes into operation on 1st July, 1911, will exclude British goods now exported to Japan to the estimated amount of nearly £1,000,000 annually; and if he will state, in view of the official announcement of the Foreign Secretary of Japan that as Great Britain has what is called a Free Trade policy there is no room for a convention with this country, the methods by which he proposes to protect British trade interests in Japanese markets?
§ Sir E. GREYI cannot admit the figures quoted by the hon. Member, and I would also point out that the new tariff comes into operation on 17th July, and not on 1st July as stated in the question. I have nothing to add to the replies returned to the hon. Member for Maidstone and other Gentlemen yesterday on this subject.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEIs it not a fact that nothing can be done except to politely ask them to lower the duties?
§ Sir E. GREYThe hon. Member is a little previous in his anticipations. It would be better to wait until the negotiations with certain other Powers are over. Then we shall be able to judge as to how the results obtained compare with the results obtained by other Powers.
§ Mr. JAMES HOPEIs there any reason to suppose they will be better than in the case of the French tariff?
§ Sir E. GREYThe results obtained with regard to the French tariff compared very favourably with the results obtained by other Powers.