AUSTRALIA’S MARKETS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28866, 10 April 1959, Page 13

AUSTRALIA’S MARKETS

Concern About U.S. Surplus es

(N.Z Press Association —Copyright) NEW YORK, April 8. The Australian Minister for Trade (Mr John McEwen) flew into New York early today bent on protecting Australia’s agricultural trade to South-East Asia and other world markets. Mr McEwen, with little more than a week at his disposal, made no secret on his arrival of Australia’s concern at possible increases in United States farm surplus disposals programmes and over reduction in American import quotas of the base metals, lead and zinc. He said: “There has been a good deal of talk in Congress and a statement by the President on the disposals programmes of farm produce. “Australia has always been interested in this. They lower our prices of wheat and wool. We are particularly anxious that these should not be impaired by any increased United States programmes.

“We thought it better I should come for talks here now before the Prime Minister (Mr Menzies) goes abroad at the end of the month, after which I will be carrying out the duties of acting Prime Minister,” said Mr McEwen.

He said he would go to Washington tomorrow for about a week. While there he would see he Secretary of Agriculture (Mr Ezra Taft Benson) as part of his fact-finding visit. Mr McEwen said that primarily his talks would concern farm surpluses but he would also take the opportunity of discussing lead and zinc. He was asked whether he would investigate a recent Congressional Committee recommendation for a scheme which envisaged selling United States farm surpluses to underdeveloped countries, particularly in South-East Asia, and then ploughing the returns back into development in those countries with accompanying tax concessions to encourage this type of investment. The Minister replied: “It’s that kind of talk that leads me to think my trip might be helpful.” He added, in answer to a further question: “I’m not here chiefly to see surpluses reduced. We do not wish to see surplus disposals in circumstances which impair our opportunities to sell —for example, disposals as gifts or on a non-commercial basis.” He added that he did not expect definite agreements to come from his visit, which was exploratory “I would like further firsthand knowledge of the situation. That’s why I am here,” Mr McEwen said. Mr McEwen will be joined in Washington by his departmental head (Sir John Crawford). Together they will talk with United States officials. But political circles doubted whether the Dalai Lama would be persuaded very easily to accept Chinese assurances and return. They would argue that he should not return, but stand as a symbol of traditional Tibetan opposition to Chinese domination and. in modern times, as a symbol of opposition to Communism.