AFRICAN COLONIAL EXPORT TAXES.

HC Deb 25 October 1916 vol 86 cc1101-2

14. Mr. MOLTENO

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether he is yet in a position to say what, if any, steps have been taken to ascertain the views of the local native producers of palm kernels as to the effect upon the industry of the proposed export tax of £2 per ton?

The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Bonar Law)

Before any legislation on the subject can be enacted it will have to be debated in the Legislative Councils of the Colonies, where full opportunity for discussion will be given. It is also open at any time to interested parties to address the various Governors on the subject.

15. Mr. MOLTENO

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether, in the event of the imposition of taxation on exports, the local governments in West Africa are in a position to give a definite undertaking that the native kernel producers, who will pay the proposed export tax of £2 per ton on palm kernels, will receive the rebate without deductions upon palm kernels crushed in the Empire?

Mr. BONAR LAW

As I stated in the House on 3rd August last, I am unable to share the hon. Member's view as to the necessary incidence of this duty, and I cannot usefully add anything to what I said on that occasion.

16. Mr. MOLTENO

asked the Secretary for the Colonies whether on the 16th September the Controller of Customs in the Gold Coast Colony telegraphed to all the provinces that from the 1st October there would be an export duty on cocoa of £2 6s. 8d. per ton; if he can state upon whose authority this order was issued; and whether before the imposition of this tax it had been thoroughly considered and agreed to by a full meeting of the Legislative Council?

Mr. BONAR LAW

The imposition of this tax was fully discussed and agreed to by the Legislative Council on the 25th and 26th September. I have no information as to the notice by the Controller of Customs, but it was doubtless issued under the authority of the Governor, as is usual in such cases, as a warning and conditional on the acceptance by the Council of the proposals of the Government.