OTTAWA BLAMED

Evening Post, Issue 52, 2 March 1935, Page 9

OTTAWA BLAMED

ITALIAN RETALIATION

RESTRICTION OF IMPORTS

PROTEST PARADOXICAL

United Press Association—By Electric Telo- ■ graph—Copyrislit. - ROME, March 1. "Italy did not protest against England gaining advantage by the Ottawa Agreements and tariffs violating classical principles of international commercial relations and grievously harming all countries. Also, it did not protest at the devaluation of the pound, which greatly damaged Italian gold reserves and trade," says an inspired article in the "Giornale d'ltalia," which declares that the House of Commons manifestations on February 25 were unjustified, inopportune, and paradoxical. It points out that Italian policy is not directed particularly, against Britain, and was adopted purely to protect Italy's national interests. Moreover, the fact that' the balance of trade is favouring Britain shows that Italy is right in redressing accounts.

A message dated February 26 stated that the British Government had strongly protested to Signor Mussolini against the suddenness and severity of the new Italian import restriction decree. If the restrictions were not mitigated regarding British exports, including manufactures from Australian wool, unemployment would increase in woollen and othe.r industries. The British Government had requested an opportunity of discussing the restrictions, meanwhile urging that there be no discrimination against British goods.