TOKEN IMPORTS

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25638, 29 October 1948, Page 8

TOKEN IMPORTS

AUSTRALIAN TRADE ENVOY’S VIEWS

“In the ever changing and disturbed position of world trade, we are apt to forget that there is a future when the bellies of the hungry will be filled, when they will be clothed, and, we hope, free competition will prevail among the nations,” said Mr J. J. Murray. Australian Trade Commissioner in New Zealand, commenting in Christchurch last evening on the New’ Zealand decision to permit token imports.

“It is no wonder then that Britain, Australia and New Zealand seek to keep before the world by token exports that which they are able to produce best. The shadow of fear, which is war, can be dispelled only by a near-equal multi-lateral trade. No one country can for long continue to have absolute precedence of exports over imports. This road leads only to financial ruin for all countries, if not for one.

“Sectional interests are ever strong, but must be subordinated to the common good. By this, the right of the everyday man and woman and their family to happiness can be achieved. A country is only as strong as its family unit. “Australia, in agreement with the United Kingdom, is exporting token quantities representative of its greatest production in dried fruits and other commodities, to countries which are its probable markets of the future.”