IMPERIAL PREFERENCE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25307, 6 October 1947, Page 7

IMPERIAL PREFERENCE

Concessions To America Predicted

NOT AS SWEEPING AS U.S. DEMANDED”

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) JRec. 10 pm. ) - LONDON, October 5. Britain is about to make concessions to the United States on Empire preferences, though these are not nearly as sweenmg as those which the United States repeatedly demanded ” says the Washington correspondent of the “Daily Express.”’ D .. “ The P <>Bi,io 7 as reported in Washington is now (1) State !” M mUch as States w anted, will not herself obtain such large cuts in American tariffs as were once thought possible; (2) America References 6 Ota ib * h «"™tion of a substantial number of preferences, (3) the Dominions will have to make bigger cuts S.S' * hw h,d “ y

The Australian officials at Geneva pointed out that it had been made clear to the United States representatives that both the United Kingdom and the Dominions would maintain a policy of quid pro quo, and the Dominion representatives indicated clearly that they were not prepared to grant anything like the requests which the United States made.”

WORLD TARIFF ARRANGEMENTS

' Multilateral tariff and trade arrangements among 18 countries doing 80 jper cent, of the world’s trade were extpected to become effective on January H. 1948, said Dr. Clair Wilcox, Director •of the United States Department’s Office of International Trade Policy, on his return from the preparatory meeting at Geneva, where She was vice-chairman of the United delegation. The tariff agreement was complete except on the issue

of the British Empire preferential system, which was still under negotiation. , He said the tariff agreement would he binding upon the 18 countries, including the United States, upon their signature, even if difficulties in the ratification of the amended Charter of the International Trade Organisation were experienced at the Havana world trade conference on November 21. The agreement would run for three years, with the right to denounce after two and a half years at six months’ notice.