Mr. Chamberlain, recalling with filial pride his father's advocacy of
Imperial Preference, announced that the Budget would give effect to the decision of the Imperial War Cabinet and Conference of 1917, which in turn was founded on the policy enunciated by Mr. Asquith's Cabinet at an earlier stage of the war. The preference given would be substantial. The rates would be few and simple. Any corresponding Excise duty would be altered in proportion. Care would be taken as a rule not to increase the import duties on Allied goods for the sake of giving preference to the Dominions, India, and the Colonies. On films, watches and clocks, motor-cars, and musical instruments there would be a preference of a third. On tea, cocoa, coffee, sugar, and tobacco there would be a preference of a sixth. On wine Dominion importers would pay 9d. instead of Is. 3d. a gallon, or 2s. instead of 3s., with corresponding reductions t of the Super Duty. In regard to spirits, foreign imports would la, charged 2g. 6d. a gallon more than at present. The scheme would mean a loss of £2,500,000 in the current year, mainly en tea. It would take effect from June 2nd for tea and from September 1st for other articles.
