TRADE WITH GERMANY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 306, 20 September 1921, Page 5

TRADE WITH GERMANY

BEQUESTS FOR PERMITS IN AUSTRALIA.

Judging by the concessions which are being given by the Commonwealth Minister 0 of Customs to firms to enable them to import goods from Germany it would i appear that an early decision with re--'spect to the policy of trade between A.us- Z tralia and Germany is necessary, (reports the "Sydney Morning Herald")/ At present all imports from Germany are prohibited with the exception of goods which are required for tho conduct of an industry in Australia. Even in these cases a special permit in writing from the Minister of Customs is necessary to enable the admission of, the goods. Suring the past few months many applications have been granted for the importation of knitting machines. The growth of the industry has been responsible for the demand, and it is claimed that the German machines are superior to those made in the United Kingdom. Tho number of companies which have been registered in Australia for the manufacture of knitted goods has been abnormal during this year, and the quality of the goods equals those imported from other . countries. This growth of Australian industry is favourably commented on by Customs officers, who readijy recommend the importation of Gorman machinery for the extension of Australian, manufacture The claim in support of these recommendations is that manufacturers in Australia could not be compelled to use inferior machines in competition with other countries which can obtain tho best. During the last financial year'-near-ly .£40,999,D0T worth of wearing apparel was imported into_ Australia, much of which could have been m:idq here. Permitsifor other industries to import from Germany other machinery and necessary commodities used in the manufacture of certain articles have also been granted. The Acting-Prime Minister, Sir Joseph CoAk, said, recently that nothing had been doao regarding the policy of resuming trade with Germany. It is expected that action will be taken ns soon as possibb a'tcr tho return of the Prime Minister, Mr. Hughes.