DEPLORABLE SELLERS.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 201, 25 August 1919, Page 5

DEPLORABLE SELLERS.

After closely analysing the extent and variety of Australia's products, the report surveys her trade abroad. It emphasises that important purchases of Australian goods by foreign countries are made in the London market, showing the existence of a larger trade with those countries than is apparent at a first glance. Australian statistics show that France was Australia's best customer before the war. apart from England. This point is developed in a special chapter which demonstrates that while France buys many Australian products in Ixindon. Australians purchase there a great number of French articles. Nevertheless the fact remains that while the French are good buyers in Australia they are deplorable sellers in that country. The report points out the vital need for developing French exports to Aussupport extended to the mission by the while opening tho door as widely as practicable to Australian products, the French cannot long continue to be good buyers unless they become great exporters. France, in order to achieve this, must secure part of Germany's Australian customers, making due allowance for the fact that that trade* has largely been taken by America and Japan whose productive power is undiminished by the war. Nevertheless, says the Teport, there is no reason why French exports to the Commonwealth should not attain proportions commensurate with a great country like France. « \ -«Sv'TARIFF RELATIONSHIP.''^ Another chapter deals with possible improvements in tariff relations between Australia and France. It suggests that while Australia is naturally desirous of continuing to protect certain of her manufactures, she might be reminded that she docs not produce every article, that in the articles she manufactures she does not specialise in every quality, and that the French often sell superior qualities of articles, in regard to which the French do not appear as competitors. Hence a wide basis for agreement might be easily found. It wt'.s in Australia's interest that the French should be enabled to pay for imports by exports. The argument for reciprocity applied equally to Australia's exports to France. The next chapter of the report urges the necessity for hastening improved French plans for developing exports. These plans include local exhibits, better publicity, a thoroughly well equipped Consulate-General, and notably, a special j commercial agency in Australia, the creation of which will be announced in | December. Arrangements are also pro- ! jectcd for direct maritime services be- ■ tween France and Australia. The report refers with confidence to the magnificent market in Australia open to France. It acknowledges the suport extended to the mission by the Australian Press, whose best qualified representatives were anxious to strengthen economic, intellectual, and social relations between the two countries. — (A. and N.Z. Cable.)