§ 4. Captain WATERHOUSEasked the President of the Board of Trade what findings were arrived at by the. Canadian Tariff Board on the application of the British boot and shoe trade representatives for a reduction in the import duty on ladies' leather footwear?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am informed that the Canadian Tariff Board have not recommended any alteration in the existing import duty on boots and shoes from this country. I am expecting to receive a summary of the Tariff Board's findings during the next few days, and I will send a copy to my hon. and gallant Friend.
§ Captain WATERHOUSEIs my right hon. Friend aware that under the present arrangements Canadian goods of this class come here free while we suffer a tariff of 55 per cent.; that our trade with Canada is fast failing, and that their trade has increased by 3,000 per cent. in the last four years; and can he not make representations to the Canadian authorities?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANWhen the matter comes up for discussion with the Canadian authorities, I will certainly bear that fact in mind.
§ 8. Captain STRICKLANDasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the present ad valorem tax on hand-made boots and shoes imposed by the Australian Government, plus freight and landing charges, amounts to 98 per cent.; whether such hand-made shoes are manufactured in Australia; and whether he will take steps to draw the attention of the Australian Government to the matter, with a view to a fairer adjustment on the higher value article?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe Australian duty on hand-made boots and shoes was recently investigated by the Tariff Board, 952 and the United Kingdom industry submitted a case for a reduction of the present duty which amounts to 38¾ per cent. ad valorem, including primage duty. The report of the Tariff Board is not yet available.
§ 9. Captain STRICKLANDasked the President of the Board of Trade what rate of duty is charged by Canada as a preferential duty on boots and shoes imported from this country; and how that rate compares with that charged by the United States of America on similar goods?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe Canadian duty on United Kingdom boots and shoes is 22½ per cent. ad valorem. The duty on leather boots and shoes in the United States of America is 10 per cent. ad valorem or 30 per cent. ad valorem according to tariff classification.
§ Captain STRICKLANDWill the right hon. Gentleman consider taking action from this side to call the attention of the Canadian authorities to the vast injury that is being done to the hand-sewn trade, rather than wait till the matter comes up?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANWe have provided under the Ottawa Agreements for a periodical survey of this kind, and I will see that this subject is mentioned.
§ Mr. LYONSDoes the right hon. Gentleman know when the next survey will be made in reference to the boot and shoe position?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am afraid I cannot say.