I move:—
That Dáil Eireann hereby approves of Customs Duties (Preferential Rates) (Fruit in Water) Order, 1938, made on the 4th day of, October, 1935, by the Executive Council under the Customs Duties (Preferential Rates) Act, 1934 (No. 19 of 1934).
In the last Finance Act there was a duty of 3d. per lb. imposed on fruit in water with a preferential rate of 2½d. The preferential rate was definitely for the purposes of the Customs duty. Under our treaty with South Africa we are bound to give them a preference of one-sixth of whatever duty may be imposed on any fruit coming into this country. Therefore, this Order made by the Executive Council is to carry out the undertaking with regard to South Africa. Our treaties with both Australia and Canada compel us to give them the equal treatment that we give to any other countries in the Commonwealth and this Order gives a preference to South Africa, Canada and Australia. The amount that is expected to be imposed will be extremely small, in fact negligible, so that the loss to the Exchequer under this Order will not amount to more than a few shillings.
