The question of whether Imperial Preference will be extended to Palestinian products is being eagerly canvassed in the Holy Land, the “Manchester Guardian” writes to-day. The Zionists, it says, have for long contended that Imperial Preference should be given to Palestine, whose products for export, consisting as they do chiefly of fruit and wine, do not compete with English home-grown produce. It is said, however, that legal difficulties may stand in the way. The authorities are divided on this point. The British mandates of the “A” class have never received Imperial Preference.
The Zionists are contending that there is no valid reason why the same rule should not be applied to Palestine as is applied to colonies and other mandated territories, and that the “most-favoured-nation” clause cannot rightly be held to apply to the Holy Land. They point out, the Manchester Guardian” remarks, that no such scruples were entertained when, for instance, the United States extended preferential tariffs to Hawaii before its annexation, or when Portugal granted preference to Brazil, or when Cuba showed special favours to certain Latin-American States.
On the other hand, the “Manchester Guardian” says, a cry of protest is being raised in Iraq (which may soon change its mandate for independence) at the prospect of the non-application of Imperial Preference to Iraq’s products. There is talk of Iraq’s appealing to the British Government for exemption from the new duties.
LIVERPOOL FRUIT BROKERS WHO HANDLE BULK OF JAFFA ORANGE SHIPMENTS SUPPORT PALESTINE APPEAL FOR IMPERIAL PREFERENCE: 35,000 CASES HANDLED THIS WEEK AND 45,000 CASES ON WAY
Arab and Jewish grower engaged in the Jaffa fruit trade have appealed to the Colonial Secretary, the “Daily Express” writes to-day, for the immediate exemption from tariffs of produce from the mandated territory of Palestine. This may be done, it points out, under the-tariff law by order in council. Duty has been payable since March 1st.
This appeal for the treatment of Jaffa as an Empire port, it states in a message from Liverpool, is supported by fruit brokers in Liverpool, who handle the bulk of Jaffa orange and grape fruit shipments. Thirty-five thousand cases of oranges have been handled this week, it says, and two incoming steamers have 45,000 cases.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
