UNITED EFFORT

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 50, Issue 149, 5 April 1930, Page 5

UNITED EFFORT

THE NEEb IN AUSTRALIA. EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYEES. LESSON OE FINANCIAL STRESS. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Received This Day, 11.43 a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. Commenting on the proposed changes in the tariff, the "Sydney Morning Herald" says: "Mr Scullin's grave, comprehensive explanation of the Government's action brought the House together as nothing has done since the outbreak of the war in 1914. The sincere hope of all who have been watching the situation with anxiety must be that the development will spur the whole country to realise at least the necessity for united effort. Australia, is thrown definitely upon her own resources to maintain her solvency and promise employment through industrial, not Government, enterprise, and to temper the severity of this blow upon her working people. Every worker must produce more, but until labour's own leaders tell their followers this in unambiguous terms, we are convinced they will not accept the exhortation. Only in this way can increased taxation be met and much suffering averted. Every employer in the land will throw in his lot with the employees in making the necessary sacrifices to secure greater exports if he can get whole-hearted co-operation in return. With that closer understanding Australia will emerge from this test stronger and fitter and richer than she has ever been-" THE PROPOSED CHANCES. . CONFLICTING VIEWS HELD. (Received This Day, 0.20 a.m.) SYDNEY, Shis Day. With the announcement of the tariff proposals, local manufacturers claim that Australia is on the threshold of an. era of prosperity similar to the boom that followed when a like action was adopted in the United States about GO vears ago. Opponents of the tariff point out many anomalies, and predict greater unemployment and trade depression. DIRECT TAXATION EXPECTED. PRICES AND PROTECTION. SYDNEY, April 4. Usually a sensitive barometer to any change in the commercial 'an'd'financial outlook, the Stock Exchange gave an appreciable reaction to-day to the new restrictive tariff schedule. The view, is held that the Government wilt have -o resort to direct taxation to compensate for the ipss of revenue as the result of the curtailment of imports. The Commonwealth Government has issued a proclamation totally prohibiting furs, skins, certain articles of wearing apparel, also various kinds, of agricultural machinery, radio sets, petrol pumps, and dried fruits, while in the rationed articles are ale, porter, wines, and cigarettes. Large manufacturers here are oi opinion that the new tariff will result in lower prices for all goods .protested. One firm of implement makers .liready announces a 5 per cent, reduction ; oh farming agricultural machinery. Many importers, however, who placed ordeis overseas months ago for winter delivery, have been placed in a most embarrassing position. Shipping men regard the new tan it with dismay, as there is bound t<> be a serious diminution of cargo from the United Kingdom, and BalhSst will have to be carried. . It is definitely stated that the Orient and Peninsular Companies will mamtain the existing fortnightly services owing to being bound by mail contracts. It is highly probable that a number of tramp steamers will no longer come to Australia owing; to lack of cargo.

CONSTERNATION IN LONDON. LONDON, April 3. Something like consternation was caused in business circles when details of the proposed Commonwealth supertariff were published. Mr J. E. Fen ton (Federal. Minister for Trade), who is a delegate to the Naval Conference, issued a statement containing Mr Scullin's announcement that the increase in the tariff was not connected with the Governments general tariff policy, it was absolutely _i temporary . measure, ,dt signed to readjust Australia's adverse trade balance. LONDON PRESS COMMENT. LONDON, April 4. The "Daily. Telegraph," in an editorial describes the Australian taritt change as probably the most dramatic and the most sudden stroke in modern economic history. "Obvious y the result must for a time gravely restrict Empire trade by reducing. Australia s imports. The situation need not have arisen in the present aggravated form if there had been in the past that close economic consultation and cooperation between Great Britain and the Commonwealth, and Britain would not have been faced, as now. with the temporary loss of a great slice ot her Australian trade. That is why we say that the moral in the unpleasant news from Canberra is that there should be a getting together so as to turn this misfortune to the best possible use. The "Daily Chronicle" says that the Australian tariff must inflict a, heavy blow on British trade just when it needs help. While Australia s neiv policy is maintained it will be a waste of breath to talk to the Commonwealth about Empire free trade. The "Daily News"' says: "It takes two to make a bargain. If Australia does not buy, we may, with the best will in the world, find ourselves in a position in which we simply cannot buy:"