ITALIAN IMPORTS

Evening Star, Issue 21965, 27 February 1935, Page 9

ITALIAN IMPORTS

THE RECENT RESTRICTIONS EFFECT ON BRITAIN (British Official Wireless.) Press Association—By Talegraph—Copyright ' RUGBY, February 25. It was stated in the House or Commons that the President of the Board of Trade (Mr Walter Runciman) was endeavouring to ascertain as quickly as possible the likely effect upon British coal shipments and other exports to Italy of the quota upon the imports oi coal and many other commodities imposed by the Italian Government under the decree of February 19. • It is understood that the Italian Government has decided to admit ail coal destined for Italian consumption that actually left the country of origin before February 19, but no information is available regarding coal loaded or ready for loading at that date. Urgent representations are being made to the Italian Government on the whole matter.

* STRONG PROTEST BY BRITAIN

LONDON, February 26. (Received February 27, at 10.55 a.in.) The British Government has strongly protested to Signor Mussolini against the suddenness and severity of the decree. If the restrictions are not mitigated regarding British exports, including manufactures from Australian wool, unemployment will increase in woollen and other industries. The British Government requested an opportunity for discussing the restrictions, meanwhile urging that there be no discrimination against British goods, . Signor Mussolini’s action ironically follows the conclusion of British-Italian negotiations for mutual expansion of trade.

TRADE PACTS ON BARTER BASIS

LONDON, February 26. (Received February 27, at 1 p.m.) Britain has lodged energetic protests in Rome regarding the restrictions on imports. The British representations emphasise the suddenness of Italy’s action, which causes injustice to exporters, particularly of goods already ordered by Italian importers. The protest also asks if Germany has received any preferential treatment in regard to coal under her clearing agreement with Italy. In the meantime other European countries have taken prompt steps to enter into negotiations for trade pacts on a barter basis with Italy, but Britain thus far has taken no steps in that direction.