HC Deb 28 March 1934 vol 287 c1971
31. Mr. HARCOURT JOHNSTONE

asked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can make a statement as to the offer received from the New Zealand Government to adopt a practically free tariff on British goods in exchange for a free and unlimited entry of New Zealand produce to the British market; what reply, if any, has been made to such offer; and whether he will publish the relevant correspondence in full?

The SECRETARY of STATE for DOMINION AFFAIRS (Mr. J. H. Thomas)

No such offer has been made by His Majesty's Government in New Zealand. The hon. Member is, I think, referring to recent correspondence between the two Governments the object of which was to enable the New Zealand Government to put before the dairy producers there the bearing of the agricultural policy of this country upon the future prospects of exports of dairy produce from New Zealand.

Sir PERCY HARRIS

Are we to understand that the Government would welcome such an offer and be prepared to give a free market for Dominion goods if such an offer were made?

Mr. THOMAS

The hon. Baronet can understand what my answer is when he reads it carefully.

Mr. JOHNSTONE

Are we to understand from that answer that the statement in the "Times" of the 14th of this month is without any foundation whatever?

Mr. THOMAS

I am always anxious to answer the question on the Paper. The question was: To ask the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he can make a statement as to the offer… I have answered that no such offer was made.