Sir Auckland Geddes on Monday was asked by the British
motor manufacturers to put a duty of one-third of their value on imported motor-cars and motor-op:des to the end of 1921, and to restrict the importation of other motor vehicles. Thes cannot supply the present demand, but they promised to over- take it by the end of next year if they were given protection as " an unstable key industry." Sir Auckland Geddes in reply pointed out that the actual rate of protection on a motor-car, owing to the tariff, freight, and the high American exchange, was equal to 88 per cent. of its value in America, and that the rate of protection on a motor-van was equal to 45 per cent. He declined absolutely to promise any further protection to the trade. The public generally will applaud his decision. If the motor industry cannot thrive with motor vehicles at their present exorbitant prices, no tariff would help it. Some strug- gling industries may reasonably claim State encouragement, but the motor trade is assuredly not one of them.
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