AUSTRALIA'S BACK DOOR OPEN

Evening Post, Volume CIII, Issue 134, 9 June 1922, Page 7

AUSTRALIA'S BACK DOOR OPEN

GERMAN GOODS IN MELBOURNE.

German traders are not waiting till Ist August before resuming " pleasant relations " with Australia. In spite of the alleged embargo (says the Sydney. Sun), German goods have already reached Sydney via Melbourne. The cheapness made theih an attractive bargain. After ist August goods from Allied countries will have no preference over German goods. If Australian manufacturers find that German imports are undercutting them, they can appeal to the Federal protection. Meanwhile the German goods will continue to come in. The fact that German goods have already reached Sydney has been brought under the notice of the Tariff Board by the president of the Chamber of Commerce (Mr. J. M. Paxton). It is stated that some time ago a consignment of goods made in Germany was landed in Melbourne. By some means or other it passed through the Customs. Apparently it was a nice cheap line, for a Sydney firm bought part of it, and brought the goods to Sydney. The Customs authorities here heard .about it by some means, and the purchasing firm had a lot of trouble about it. The goods were held up for over a month before the firm was allowed to dispose of them. After Ist August there will, of course, be no difficulties of this kind. German goods can come in openly and freej^i But at present it would appear to be easier to get them in at Melbourne than at Sydney. The Tariff Board has been asked whether exporters in Allied countries will have any preference over their German competitors after Ist August. They will not, except insofar as they may benefit if their currency is on a better footing than Germany's. It is true that Allied countries may have the privilege of the intermediate tariff if Australia secures reciprocity, but no Allied country has yet secured that concession. WHILE THE GRASS GROWS. Great Britain has, to safeguard her ."key" dye industries,. prohibited the-im-port of German dyes. Whether German dyes will-be admitted to Australia after Ist August, the Tariff Board cannot say. It is a matter of policy for the Federal Government. When German goods come in they will have to pay 75 per cent, impost to make up for depreciated currency in addition to the ordinary duty, with IS per oent. more still added if "dumping" is in question. In the case of pianos, for instance, the duty will be 45 per cent. The 75 per cent, added to this makes 120 per cent. If dumping has to be guarded against, the total will be 135 per cent. Australian manufacturers are wondering what will happen to them if the Germans can produce so cheaply that, even ! with this handicap, they can undercut j the Australian manufacturers. The chairman of the board, questioned about this by a manufacturer, was reassuring—more or less. He said that of the duty were not enough to meet the dumping of ex-enemy goods, the Federal Government would have to consider the question of increasing it,, " What would happen in the meantime?" asked the manufacturer.

"Well," replied Major Oakley, "we would have to let the first shipment or two in. But the Federal Ministry and Parliament would not let the grass grow under its feet." .

As long as- the grass does not grow over the Australian manufacturer all may yet be well. /