REGRETTED BY JAPAN

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 203, 25 May 1938, Page 11

REGRETTED BY JAPAN

Australia’s Ban On Iron

Ore Exports

Tokio, May 23.

The Foreign Office spokesman, Mr. Tatsuo Kawai, in an exclusive interview with tlie Australian Associated Press, said that Japan profoundly regretted the Australian prohibition of the export of iron ore from Yampi Sound, which is regarded as an act of bad faith by the Commonwealth Government, having regard for the large amount of Japanese capital invested there.

“Australia had already raised high barriers against foreign migration and merchandise,” he said, “and if, as in the present instance, she assumes an isolationist policy, for example, by means of an embargo on iron ore, it will not only be against equity, but will be conducive to a straining of international relations and will be detrimental to friendship between Australia and Japan. Japan urges Australia seriously to reconsider her action.’’

The Australian Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, announced in the House of Representatives on May 19 that the Government intended to prohibit the export of Australian iron ore as from July 1. Claims for reimbursement of expenditure already incurred on the exploitation of iron ore for export, he said, would be examined and dealt with equitably. The Government had acted on an expert report that the accessible iron ore deposits capable of economic development were so limited as to compel their retention for Australia’s own industrial needs. The embargo will particularly affect deposits in Yampi Sound, North-western Australia, which are under lease to Japanese.

LOADING SCRAP-IRON

Attitude Of Watersiders Supported By Dockers

Sydney, May 24.

The metal trades (dockers’) unions to-night decided that in the event of the waterside workers defying the Federal Government’s ultimatum concerning the loading of scrap iron for Japan, they would co-operate with the watersiders and refuse to do repair work on all ships entering the docks.

The Sydney watersiders, who have refused to load scrap-iron and other material for Japan, have been warned by the Federal Ministry that unless they agreg by May 25 to load all cargoes which are offering the licensing provisions of the Transport Workers Act will be applied to the Sydney members of the Waterside Workers’ Federation, and disciplinary action taken at other ports. In a letter to the federation, the Prime JXjnister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, stated that, the 7 Government takes the view that no sufficient reason exists for the imposition- of an embargo on the export? in guestion. Shipping circles in Sydney are perturbed at the probable outcome of the clash between the Government and the watersiders. The Government’s warning, if carried out, means that every wharf worker in Sydney will be required to take out a licence before he can obtain employment. Sydney unionists so far have escaped the licensing obligation, but the watersiders at Melbourne and Adelaide have been working under it since the last shipping hold-up. More than 3000 tons of scrap metal are lying on the Port Adelaide wharves because of the refusal of the watersiders to load it for Japan.