§ 33. Sir ROBERT HAMILTONasked the President of the Board of Trade the value of our exports to New Zealand during the year 1933, and the approximate amount of duty payable thereon to The New Zealand Government?
§ Dr. BURGINThe value of merchandise exported from the United Kingdom to New Zealand during 1933 amounted to £9,802,422. No precise information is available as to the amount of Customs duty leviable thereon in New Zealand, but on the basis of the figures for the previous year, it may be estimated that the duty was of the order of £2,000,000.
§ Sir PERCY HARRISDo not these figures indicate that £2,000,000 duty on British exports to New Zealand was withdrawn, with a corresponding increase in our exports to New Zealand?
§ Dr. BURGINThe hon. Member should analyse the figures a little more. More than half the exports to New Zealand were free goods, and about half the £2,000,000 was paid on a relatively small value of spirits and tobacco.
§ Mr. HANNONDoes not this indicate a conversion of the Liberal party to Empire Free Trade?