RAW MATERIALS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 101, 1 May 1922, Page 5

RAW MATERIALS.

QUESTION OF CONTROL. DEBATED AT GENOA. (Received P. 30 a.m.l LOXDOX, April 30. Tin- Australian and Kew Zealand Press Association's correspondent at Genoa aays that thr wisdom of Australia's direct representation at the conference finds ample justification in the debate opened at the plenary session of the Economic Commission when article 45 of the- 1 London experts' report came under review. Signor Rossi, an Italian delegate, raised the question of distribution, control, and prices of raw material?.

The British delegate did not believe it possible to prevent countries placing restTictions on the e::port of raw materials if their fiscal requirements demanded it.

The German rielsgate expressed ar>cord with the Italians in principle, but could not accent the abolition of right to impose rxport taxation. The French delegate pointed out that various phases of tho question had already been threshed out before the League of Nations Assembly.

Sir .loscph Cook strongly opposed any interference with the revenue or national necessities in regard to export of Australian products, declaring emphatically: '■'We will not give up our rights over our raw materials." The discussion waxed warm between those producing primary materials and the manufacturing nations, the latter jealously maintaining the right to impose export dutiett if necessary, while desiring that countries producing raw materials should have pome form of control. Eventually the Little Entente broke away, joining forces with the raw material countries.

The debate continues, but it is not likely that the Italian proposa.l will be entertained.

Signor Rossi said that lie wished the commission had given more consideration to workers of the manufacturing nations.

Mr. M. Tj. Shepherd interposed that the workers of the primary producing countries had equal claim?. Signor Rossi said that export; duties should be limited to ten to fifteen per cent. The British delegate replied that if the fipruro inserted were a recommendation it should not be less tlian twenty-five. The British proposal was that they should not restrict the freedom of action of primary producers. Sienor Rossi declined the proposal, end "declared that he was prepared to contest the point before the full conference. — (A. and N.Z. Cable.)