PREFERENCE TO U.S.A.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 41, 18 February 1943, Page 5

PREFERENCE TO U.S.A.

Most Favoured Foreign Nation Tariff Accorded

GESTURE OF GOODWILL.

Rec. 1.30-p.m. CANBERRA, this day. "Most favoured nation" tariff now applies to goods imported into Australia from the United States. These tariff concessions have been made by the Commonwealth Government as an expression of Australia's regard for the great material assistance received from the United States during a most critical period in her history. The Government's decision places the United States next to Britain and the Dominions in most-favoured nation treatment, and will result in a substantial reduction in the Customs duties payable on American goods. Because of restrictions in production and transport, these concessions will be apparent only to a limited degree during the war. But after the war, American exports to Australia will receive great benefit from the new Customs policy. The removal of the United States from the list of countries on the general punitive tariff is felt to have removed a marked anomaly and has been welcomed by the American Minister, Mr. Nelson T. Johnson, as "a spontaneous demonstration of Australian goodwill."