Rising Trade Barriers Mr. Runciman will find it difficult to
make out an impressive case for the use of tariffs as a means of bar-. gaining in view of inforMation he gave to Mr. MaRalieu on Tuesday. There have been important alterations in Customs Duties since January, 1934, in India, the Dominions, some South American Republics, and in 15 other countries. In most of these cases the change has been in an upward direction, and the only tendency to reduction has been in Empire countries (excluding the Irish Free State) and in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. To the latter group Poland will be added when the new trade agreement comes into force. This is a small mouse to produce in view of the colossal labouring of our own Customs offices and of the Customs offices which are erected against us. Mr. Runeiman, of course, contends that the barriers against our traders would have risen still more but for his policy. It looks very much more as if tariffs, as usual, had begotten tariffs.
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