London, Mar. 7.
Difficulties placed in the way of British firms wishing to sell importet goods direct to consumers in occupied areas of China were still increasing, Mr. R. A. Butler, Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, told the House of Commons yesterday. He was not in a post ion {o say whether it was everywhere impossible to do so.
Mr. Hamilton Kerr, Conservative member for Oldham, asked whether, as this was a gross violation of the open door policy, representations had been made to the Japanese Government, Mr. Butler replied that these questions had frequently been taken up and the whole matter was under further consideration.
Mr. Ian Campbell Hannah, National Conservative member for the Bilston Division of Wolverhampton, ed whether Britain was working with America in this matter, Mr. Bulter replied, "We always work with America."
Mr. Hamilton Kerr asked whether the Foreign Secretary was aware hint the cost of the Japanese Army in occupied China was largely met from revenue contributed by Japanese companies established under Army supervision, that all exports from occupied China have to leave by way of trafie- routes over which Japanese companies have been granted a monopoly, and whether it wa proposed to take ae fon to stop th resulting heavy tax on British trad Mr. Butler replied that he could only repeat that, as he informed the House on February 26, the system of trade and exchange established by the Japanese tended to favour Japanese interests. The resultant effect! on British trade hed the Governments constant attention. Reu er.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.