HIGH TARIFF WALL

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 263, 6 November 1929, Page 7

HIGH TARIFF WALL

LABOUR'S DECISION. Australia's Method To Overcome Trade Depression. PRIME MINISTER'S VIEW. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 10 a.m.) SYDXEY, this day. The Commonwealth Government's intention to erect a high tariff wall is revealed in an announcement by the Prime Minister to the British Association of Manufacturers. Mr. J. H. Scullin, Prime Minister, intimated that he favoured reciprocal trade within the Empire, but it must not be detrimental to Australian industries. He would much prefer that British manufacturers should establish branch businesses in Australia than ask Australia to import their goods. Mr. E. G. Theodore, Federal Treasurer, in a speech at the railwaymen's picnic, declared that the Government intended to give effect to Labour's policy of high tariffs which, in his opinion, was the only way to overcome the trade depression and unemployment. The Minister of Customs, Mr. 0. _E. Fenton, answering a deputation which sought the total prohibition of cheap Russian matches, which was killing the Australian match industry, promised to give effect to the request rather than allow hundreds of women and girls to be driven out of employment.

COMPULSORY DRILL. Abolition Will Not Affect Defence. RUMOURS DENIED. (Received 11.30 a.m.) MELBOURNE, this clay. The Prime Minister, Mr. J. H. Scullin, stated: The Government will abolish compulsory military training but _ I repudiate any idea that Australia will be left without a proper defence system. A substitute scheme for defence will be drafted and men will not be thrown out of employment.