AUSTRALIAN BUTTER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 75, 9 January 1928, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN BUTTER.

PROTESTS IN CANADA. (Per Press Association—Copyright.) OTTAWA. January 7. that the situation resulting from repeated protests by Canadian dairying interests, against the importation of Australian butter, will shortly come to a head. Australian tariff experts have come to the conclusion that many thousands of pounds have been collected on Australian butter shipments for some time past, by reason of the- imposition of the dumping duty, which is distinctly contrary to the Australiail-Canadian Trade Agreement; and it is understood that the Toronto Board of Trade will shortly make an appeal to the Canadian Government, for a refund on the previous dumping duty payments. It is understood that Canadian Government officials have been wholly reluctant to impose the dumping duty on Australian'butter, and frankly intimated that if Australian experts can jioint a way out they will gladly take it. A - preliminary suggestion is made that the general Customs regulations, although piyviaing for the imposition or a dumping duty on any commodity sold below the domestic price ruling in the country of manufacture da not affect products if sent on consignment. The recent arrival of 47,000 pounds of Australian butter should therefore escape the dumping provision But it is pointed out that the consignment arrangement works hardship on the free movement of trade,- as it prohibits regular shipments of produce with the aim of securing a day-by-day market. Australian experts when re-exam-niug the Caiiadian-Australian agreement, discovered a provision which unequivocally exempts all commodities mentioned there as coming under reciprocal arrangement, from such imno-si-tion of a dumping duty as provided in the Canadian general Customs regulations. Canadian importers have been advised ibe-eon, end it is expected that they will make every effort to secure action on the exempting provisions.