COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE COMMITTEE :
36
II.
Cory of Memorial from Association of Chambers of Commerce on the subject
of the Proposed New German Customs Tariff.”
To the Most Honourable the Marquess of Lansdowne, K.G., His Majesty’s
Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
The Memorial of the Association of Chambers of Commerce of the United Kingdom
SlIEWETH,
That the following resolution was unanimously adopted at the Autumnal Meeting
of this Association held at Nottingham on the 3rd and 4th September 1901 :—
“ That this Association views with alarm the proposed increase of the German
tariff and strongly protests against the same, believing that it will be injurious to
the trade of both countries.”
That your Memoralists are an Association of Chambers of Commerce of the United
Kingdom, representing all branches of the great industries of the country, not only
those which are interested in the export of British goods to foreign countries, but also
those which are for the most part engaged in internal commerce.
That your Memorialists view with disappointment and regret the proposal of the
German Government to increase the duties levied on certain goods entering Germany.
That in reference to many of the articles proposed to be subjected to higher duties,
German manufacturers are makers as skilled as any to be found in this country, while
in respect to others they possess advantages which would justify not only T the
non-advance, but the reduction or abolition of existing duties.
That separate representations by different Chambers or groups of Chambers of
Commerce included in this Association will be submitted in the proper quarter, and to
these reference is hereby made for full details.
That this Association is cognizant of a growing impatience throughout commercial
circles in Great Britain of the heavy duties levied by foreign countries on British goods ;
that representations have even reached it proposing retaliatory duties in the event of
the new increased rates being levied by Germany; and that this Association therefore
hopes the representations of His Majesty’s Government will be such as to induce the
German Government rather to reduce than to increase the present tariff, and thus
thereby avoid all risk of a tariff war between the two countries.
Finally, your Memorialists are profoundly convinced that any rise in the duties now
levied by Germany would have effects most prejudicial to the extent and profitableness
of the great commerce now passing between them.
Given under the Common Seal of this Association the 24th day of
September 1901.
{Signed) Aveburï, President.
Edward W. Fithian. Secretary.
1, Great College Street,
Westminster, S.W.
