TRADE WITH FRANCE

Evening Star, Issue 17154, 22 September 1919, Page 8

TRADE WITH FRANCE

The Australian Press Agency lias secured advance proofs of the report of the French mission which recently vasited Australia and New Zealand. The report deals principally with trade relations 'between Australia and Franco from the French exporters’ standpoint. The proface to the report pays a deep tribute to the treatment of the mission, in Australia. The great wish of the mission is that the establishment of closer relations, especially commercial, shall be the result of the visit. The report states that nothing is more admirable than the natural bom! between young Australia and old England, made by a community of political ideals, and equally by a conviction that, although the Empire is one, its parts are varied and free. “ Australia,” states the report, ‘'seems to us to bo a country of real social equality and easy material life. In other words, a happy country.” Regarding woo], the mission found the greatest willingness on the part of Australians to aid France to re-establish her trade. “ Australian.-' were anxious to find fresh markets for meat, or at any rate to continue to supply those markets which Australia furnished during the war—Franca, for example. Australia could also provide frozen horse-flesh, rabbits, and canned meats. “We are certain.” the report states, “that France, in any system that she may adopt, for the importation of foreign 'meat, will always remember the role- that Australia played during the war, and will net treat her less favorably than any other seller,”

The report proceeds to review Australia’s industrial conditions. It recognises a resolute determination on the part of cm plovers and employed to maintain the existing system of Protection, enatl itm local manufacturers to rc.nipote more and mo?e with foreign firms. Ncverthe.h-h.s Australia will be lor a long tlhu* t» «n>r»w an important outlet for more highly-fin-ished French goods. The mission is convinced that the interests of Australian industry aw not necessarily opposed io French industry, each having its own domain. Although Australia's '.ndcsfn as, on the whole, had failed to make notable progress during the first three years of the war, they gave the mission in 1918 an impression of real prosperity and growing activity.

After closely analysing tho extent awl variety of Australia’s products, the report surveys her trade abroad. It. emphasises that important purchases of Australian yowls by foreign countries aro made in the London market, showing tho existence

of a larger trade with those, countries than is apparent at a first glance. Australian statistics show that France was Australia’s best customer before the war, apart from England. This point is developed in a special chapter which demonstrates that while Franco buys many Australian products in London, Australians purchase there a great number of French articles. Nevertheless the fact remains that while the French aro good buyers in Australia they are deplorable sellers in that country.

Tho report points out tho vital need for developing French exports to Australia. While opening the door a-- widely as practicable to Australian products, the French cannot long continue to be good buyers unions they become great exporter*. France, in order to achieve this, must, secure paid, nf Germany’s Australian customers. making due allowance for the fact that that trade lias largely bean taken by America and Japan, whoso prod-ctive power is undiminished by tho war. Nevertheless, says the report, there is no reason why French exports to tho Commonwealth should not attain proportions commensurate with a great country like France.^ Another chanter deals with possible improvements in tariff relatione between Anst rail a and Franco. It suggests that, while Australia is naturally desirous of continuing to protect certain of her manufactures, she might be reminded that she does not produce’every article, that in tho she manufactures she docs not specialise in everv quality, and that the French often sell superior qualities of articles, in regard to which the French f do not appear as competitor. Hence a. wade back for agreement might bo ensily found. It was in" Australia’s interest that the French should ’be enabled to pay for imports by exports. The argument, for reciprocity applied equally to Australia’s esjports to Franco. Tho next chapter of the repeat urges the necessity for Imsrening improved French plans for developing exports. These plans include local exhibits, better publicity, n. thoroughly well equipped Consulate. General, and notably a special commercial agency in Australia, the creation of which will bo announced in December. Arrangements are also projected for direct maritime services between Francs find Australia. The report refers with confidence to the magnificent market in Australia open to Franco, }t acknowledges the support extended to the mission by the Anst-alian Press, whoso best-qualified representatives were anxious to strengthen economic, intellectual. and social relations between the two countries.