§ 73. Mr. LOUIS SMITHasked the President of the Board of Trade whether his attention has been called to the fact that the increased 10 per cent. rate in Australia on goods not covered by the first and second classifications will nullify the portion of preference given to Great Britain; and whether he will suggest to the Commonwealth Government the desirability of pari passu measures against competing foreign imports?
§ Mr. W. GRAHAMThe primage duty, which is a tax designed to raise additional revenue, is levied at a uniform rate on United Kingdom and foreign goods and does not therefore affect the actual amount of tariff preference granted to the United Kingdom. The question whether a differential rate should be imposed on foreign as against United Kingdom goods is one which must be left to the discretion of His Majesty's Government in the Commonwealth of Australia.