289

A.—s

Mr. ASQUITH : That applies only to what is a mere experiment. Mr. DEAKIN : That is all we want. Mr. F. R. MOOR : We only want the experiment. Mr. ASQUITH : No, this is an experiment conducted over 100 acres. Dr. SMARTT : But the experiment is on the basis of a 2s. duty instead of a 3s. duty. Mr. ASQUITH : As I say, it is only extended to 100 acres of land. Dr. SMARTT : But on the basis of a 2s. duty instead of a 3s. duty. Mr. ASQUITH : We might as well not have imposed any duty at all. Practically the duty did not enter into it at all, but it was simply to see whether or not, as a matter of experiment, tobacco could be grown in Ireland, and over those 100 acres we allowed them to experiment practically free of duty. Dr. SMARTT : But I understood that the duty collected by the State or Excise on the product, whatever it may be, will be collected at 25., or a rebate of Is. will be given. Mr. ASQUITH : On that 100 acres—nothing else. Dr. SMARTT : But on that 100 acres ? Mr. ASQUITH: Yes. Dr. SMARTT : It is practically a rebate. Mr. ASQUITH : It might have been made duty free. It was a mere experiment to see whether tobacco could be grown in Ireland, and we allowed them to have 100 acres for the purpose, but that is not going to regulate the future growth of tobacco in Ireland. When they grow tobacco on a practical scale they will pay strictly the same as other people. There is no preference of any kind. Mr. F. R. MOOR : Lord Elgin and gentlemen, I have not very much to say, as I think the ground has been very well covered by the previous speakers as regards the Colonial view, and the points that have been adduced by Mr. Deakin and Sir Joseph Ward have fairly stated the position. I only want to say a few words about the arguments adduced by Mr. Deakin with respect to the condition of things as regards our opponents in different parts of the world. While England and the Colonies have in the past been giving equal treatment, these nations have built around them impregnable tariff walls, and thus enjoyed free trade in a double condition— having the whole of their population and also the population of England and of India for their trade, which, in my humble opinion, must give our competitors an enormous advantage. If there is one thing that has been found to be unquestionably accurate it is that in modern methods the great

38—A. 5.

Ninth Day. 1 May 1907.

Preferential Tradb.