§ 32. Sir RICHARD COOPERasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies if he was consulted by the Government of Nyasaland before the export tax on tobacco from that country was raised from 1s. per cwt. to 2d. per lb.; if he has approved of this burden on the development of a young industry; and if he can say on what grounds foreign countries are accorded this advantage over a struggling British possession?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Lieut.-Colonel Amery)The duty on tobacco forms one of a number of proposals for increasing the revenue of the Protectorate to meet the extra cost of necessary services. Native taxation is being increased, and it is essential that European planters, who have recently been very successful, should bear their share. The duty has been approved, and I see no reason why it should unduly affect the position of planters, who have the advantage of the Imperial preference on Empire grown tobacco.