AGAINST AUSTRALIA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 143, 18 June 1936, Page 7

AGAINST AUSTRALIA.

Japanese Safeguarding Law Invoked. TARIFF WAR DEVELOPS. (Received 12.30 p.m.) TOKYO, June 17. The Doniei news agency learns that Australia's reply to Japan's protest against the raising of tariffs was received this afternoon and was regarded as unsatisfactory. Thereupon an official conference decided to submit invocation of the trade protection law to Cabinet, which is expected to obtain Imperial sanction to enforce it on Friday.

The Foreign Office spokesman had earlier stated: "We are in communication with Mr. Murai, our Consul(Jeneral in Australia, in regard to Sir Henry Gullett's latest offer to apply intermediate tariffs to Japanese goods which we regard as inadequate. Our attitude already has been clearly defined. Owing to Australia's drastic measures we are obliged to protect our trade by invoking the law, but if the Australians return to the status quo ante and are ready to talk on the same footing wefare quite ready to talk to them."

The Japanese fVade safeguarding law states that "the Government may levy on goods, in addition to regular tariff, an import duty not exceeding their price, or may exempt them from duty, or may either prohibit or restrict exportation or importation of such goods as may be named, and this is necessary for such periods as may be recommended by the Tariff Commission, and in accordance with an Imperial ordinance." The object of these provisions is "to safeguard commcrce or to adjust trade in consideration of steps taken or about to be taken by foreign countries " The law must remain in effect for three years once it is enforced.