HIGHER DUTIES

Evening Post, Volume CXXI, Issue 145, 20 June 1936, Page 9

HIGHER DUTIES

JAPANESE INTIMATION NEWS IN AUSTRALIA CANBERRA, June 19. The Japanese retaliatory plan ' against the Australian tariff will take the form of an ordinance which will ' seriously prejudice exports of Aus- ' tralian wool, wheat, flour, and tallow. Notice of it today reached the Minister in charge of trade treaties, Sir Henry Gullett, by telephone from the Japanese Consul-General, who intimated that it was intended to impose < restrictions and appreciably higher duties on Australian commodities. The ordinance is expected to become operative in a few days, although it may not be applied while negotiations are proceeding for a way out of the ( impasse. If it is applied Cabinet will \ probably decide to abandon the con- ] versations and take still further \ action under the licensing system ] against the importation of Japanese j merchandise. j Addressing a large gathering of t pastoralists at the Sydney stud sheep < show, the Prime Minister, Mr. J. A. Lyons, said: "Despite the latest reports c from Japan, I have not yet abandoned r hope that within a few days we may i reach a basis of negotiation towards a t friendly settlement of our troubles. If 1 we are unable to reconcile our differ- f ences it will only be because the Com- t monwealth Government is unable to l accept dictation upon its tariff policy, \ either upon the protection of Australian industries or preference within the Empire. Subject to these conditions. * we shall do everything possible to maintain that valuable trade enjoyed between Japan and Australia." i Mr. Lyons appealed to interested ! parties meanwhile to "keep out of the ring" so long as there was a reason-, able prospect of success attending the ! Government's efforts. t j MEASURES TO PROCEED p fi (Received June 20, 11.30 a.m.) g TOKIO,- June 19. it Official circles deny that Australia is conciliatoi'ily enforcing the intermediate instead of the general tariff , against Japan, and retaliatory measures ' arc therefore being proceeded with.