Recorded Imports of tea from Japan during the five months from January until May of this year were 2,250,000 1b, stated Mr. Stanley, This weight represented 1.5 per cent. of the total tea imports for the period, Ho was informed that the cheaper qualities of Japanese tea were being Sold at Gd. to 7d, per pound, exelud~ ing duty, and he was aware that this tea was being blended with Empire tea for the purpose of producing a cheap packet of tea, He had no power, Mr. Stanley added. to stop the Imporlation of Japanese tea.
Mr, William James Thorne, Labour member for the Plaisow division of West Ham, asked Mr. Stanley if he was aware that Japanese tea was mixed with Ceylon and Indian tea and was sold as Empire tea.
Tu reply, Mr. Stanley declared that it he were supplied with definite information, he would look into the matter, but his information was that this was not so and certainly, under the law, could not be so.
Replying to further supplementary questions, Mr. Stanley said this tea was not described as Empire Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.