FEDERAL TARIFF

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11175, 7 April 1930, Page 5

FEDERAL TARIFF

WILL BRITAIN RETALIATE? MAY REFUSE AUSTRALIAN ’ d i , PRODUCEI United Press Assn, by El. Tel. Uopyrighl LONDON, April 4. Tho “Daily News” says:— “It takes two to make a liargain. If Australia will not buy we may; with the best will in the world, find ourselves in a position in. which we simply cannot buy.” SHIPPING COMPANIES DISMAYED. BALLAST INSTEAD OF CARGO. United Press Assn, by El. Tel- Copyright SYDNEY, April 4. Shipping men regard the new tariff with dismay, as _ there is bound lo lie a serious diminution of cargo from the United Kingdom anil ballast will have to lie carried. It is definitely stated that the Orient and Peninsula ■ Companies will maintain their, existing fortnightly services owing to being bound by the mad contracts, it is highly probable that, a number of the tramp steamers will no longer come to Australia owing to the lack of cargo. DRAMATIC STROKK. EMPLRE TRADE WILL BE RESTRICTED. United Press Assn, by El Tel Copyriglo LONDON, April 4. The “Daily Telegraph.” in an editorial, describes the 'tariff as probably tho most dramatic and most sudden stroke in modern economic history. “Obviously,” it says, “the result for a time, must gravely restrict Empire trade by reducing Australia’s imports. I’ho situation need not have arisen in its present aggravated form, if there had been in the past Hose economic consultation and co-operation between Great Britain and the Commonwealth, and Britain would not have been faced, as now, with tintemporary loss oi a great slice of her Australian trade. I hat is why we say the moral in the unpleasant news from Canberra is that there should be a getting together so as to turn this misfortune to the best possible use. ’ HEAVY BLOW TO BRITISH TRADE WHEN IT NEEDS HELP. United Press Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright LONDON, April 4. ' The “Daily Chronicle” says:— “The' Australian tariff must inflict a heavy blow on British trade just when it needs help. W bile Australia's new policy is maintain.ed, it will be a waste of breath to talk to the Commonwealth about Empire free trade.” POTTERIES WILL FEEL

TARIFF. FURTHER PRESS COMMENT. United Press Assn. by El. Tel. Conyright (Received April 6, o p.m.) London; Aprils. Owing to the increase in tariff duties, the Australian Press Association is authoritatively informed that France is ‘contemplating retaliatory action against Australian goods. Australia House has not yet been officially informed, but -officials have been privately advised that the tariff will come a blow to the potteries. The director of one of the largest firms in North Staffordshire, which sends its own travellers to Australia and has built up a substantial business there, said: “It will cause us a severe loss.” The head of a firm of sanitary ware makers said: “A large proportion of our trade is with the Commonwealth.” The Times commends the courage of Mr. Scullin and his Government for tackling the crisis and says: “British trade will be adversely affected, but the set-Back must be accepted philosophically.” The “Financial News” asks “"Wont the rise of internal prices exaggerate Australia’s present difficulties? Tlie new laws should bo given a definite limit. XATION A L EM ER (■ EN ( V. IMPORTS MUST BE RESTRICTED United Pres? Assn.-by El. Tel- Copyright (Received April 6, 0.0 p.m.) SYDNEY. April 6. Mr. Fordo. Acting Minister for Trade and Customs, lias issued a statement- declaring that the now tariff measure lias been introduced merely to meet a national emergency, not as part of the Government s protective policy. It is primarily intended lo restrict imports. “Australia.” lie said, “is a debtor nation. Its house must he put hi order. -One filing the Goveriinteiu is determined upon Ts that Australia shall honor her obligations. We took it his action only alter serious consideration ami after advice sought from banks and others in a position to say which would bo the best way to rectify Australia’s adverse trade balance, which amounts to £90,000,000 for the past six years.”

COST OF PRODUCTION. METHODS OF REDUCTION TO BE EXPLORED. United Press Assn, by El. T<b- Uopyrigbr (Received April G, 11.2.1 p.m.) SYDNEY. April 5. A group of representative business men conferred with Premier Bavin on the subject of the trade depression and financial stringency. The main object was to explore methods of;- reducing the cost of production, without' causing further unemployment and at the same time ensuring a corresponding reduction in the cost of living. A-committee was formed to bring up a report. State Treasur-er-Stevens also conferred with the banks in order to got their views. When tho - Commonwealth conversion loan closes to-morrow, it is expected the Government will have provided for almost two-thirds of the EG0,000.000 which was outstanding when the campaign was launched. The response has-been so liberal that the task of -the Federal Treasurer has been considerably ■ lightened and The conversion of .the balance should not Ik l unduly arduous. Next year's Commonwealth and State conversions should be comparatively light and have not to he arranged until theend of 1081.. AMERICAN COMMENT. HIGHEST TARIFF BARRIER IN WORLD. United Press Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright (Received April 6, 11 p.m.) - WASHINGTON, April 5. i The variety- of comment, official and unofficial, on tho Australian tariff schedule indicates variance of opinion.': concerning • the seriousness of its effect on American- trade,-' although everywhere there- is ; .much interest in what some, observers - declare. to bo “the highest tariff bnrrier'in.the. world.” * •

The Associated l‘res> reports that The Department of Commerce officials have predicted that American exports to Australia will decline ajvproximaiely fifty per cent., both a result of the schedule and trie business depression existing in the Commonwealth. The exports to Australia lasi year, namely 150 million dollars, totalled throe per cent, of America s export . The prohibition, of manufactured tobacco is expected to re-act lavorahly on America’s import of leaf tobacco to the Commonwealth which, in 1929, totalled 7,rifin.OOO dollars. Officials are confident, however, that, as. soon as stocks of American goods on hand are reduced, and Australian business Conditions improve, the emergency schedule will be lifted. It is stated that wldle striking directly against. America’s loreign trade in automobiles, Australia’s schedule was viewed with little concern by the Government trade ofiVoiais. ’ America’s trade with Australia amounts only to throe-tenths of one per cent, of this country’s total foreign business. The correspondent, however, does make clear that Australia in 1029 absorbed a third of the total United States exports of automobiles to Far Eastern markets. The New York Times’ Washington correspondent says: “Late last- rear it was planned for American Consuls in Australia to file exceptions to the tariff lists then m the making, but this was not done when there was. no evidence of discrimination. The new tariff is expected generally to cut American trade.” Representative Hawley, who has played an important part in the revision of the American tariff, now in Congressional conference, said today that he preferred to make na comment on Australia’s schedule until he had had an opportunity to study the details. Nevertheless, ho pointed out that the United States was not in a position to make any protest/ unless it could show that there was direct discrimination against American trade.