[The purpose of the Digest is informative: Preference is given to papers not generally accessible to our readers. Quotation does not indicate approval.-Editor.]
That the recent action of the Palestine government, lifting the import duty on certain raw textile materials, will be followed by further gradual measures in the same direction that will give an impetus to Palestine industry, is the opinion of the Jerusalem correspondent of the “Forward” of New York.
Writing in the issue of June 22, the correspondent states: “Naturally there are still many raw materials that have to be freed from import duty. Also, something will finally have to be done in the matter of protective tariffs, which would open good prospects for industry, for the success of the old and the new settlers.
“This will not happen immediately, however. The Palestine government,” the correspondent points out, “argues that until Palestine’s industry will completely cover the needs of the country’s population, there can be no talk of a protective tariff, for then the population, not being sufficiently supplied by home industries, while foreign products are kept out by the tariff, would be subjected to the mercy of the domestic manufacturers. The manufacturers, on the other hand, contend that it is impossible to invest capital on what will happen in the future and a safeguard must be provided through a protective tariff.
“Nevertheless, though the problem remains to be solved yet, exceeding satisfaction prevails among the local manufacturers as a result of the recent lifting of import duties.”
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