§ Mr. GOLDMANasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give particulars of the tariff preferences referred to on page 6 of Consular Report No. 4447, which are accorded by Haiti to France, Germany, and the United States, in which the United Kingdom does not share; and the dates when the commercial conventions between Haiti and these countries came into operation?
Mr. BUXTONThe following statement gives particulars of the tariff advantages328W enjoyed in Haiti by the products of France, Germany, and the United States:—
- (1)France.—In virtue of the existing Franco-Haitian Commercial Convention, which came into force on 1st February, 1907, goods of French origin of certain classes enjoy on importation into Haiti, a reduction of 33⅓ per cent. of the aggregate Customs duties and surtaxes, wharfage, weighing and visa dues. The Convention stipulates in addition that French wines imported into Haiti in cask shall pay only one-fifth, and champagne and "sparkling" wines only one-third of the ordinary duties. The list of articles which enjoy this preference is too lengthy to print in answer to a question, but I am sending a copy to the hon. Member.
- (2) Germany. —Under the existing Commercial Convention between Ger many and Haiti, which came into force on 1st September, 1908, the under mentioned articles of German origin enjoy, on importation into Haiti, a reduction of 25 per cent. of the aggregate Customs duties and surtaxes, wharfage, weighing, and visa dues: Stockings and socks of all kinds, matches, tinplate wares and wares of enamelled iron, cement, cordage, chinaware, string and twine. In addition the Convention stipulates that German beer shall pay only one-third of the ordinary duty.
- (3)United States of America.—The products of this country which enjoy pre ferential Customs treatment in Haiti do so in virtue of a Haitian law, dated 29th August, 1908, which extends to American cordage and beer the same tariff advantages as are accorded to similar articles of German origin.