FEDERAL TARIFF

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 12869, 23 May 1936, Page 5

FEDERAL TARIFF

LICENSING OF IMPORTS.

LIMITED RANGE OF FOREIGN

GOODS AFFECTED.

HELP TO BRITISH AND AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURERS.

HJ.P.A. by Elec. Tel. C-aiyrigjit). (Received May 22, 11 p.m.) CANBERRA, May 22. In the House of Representatives to-day, the Minister for Trade Treaties (Sir Henry Gullett) announced what he termed the first step in a considered policy to place Australia’s overseas financial affairs in a sound and

enduring position. He said the Government had adopted a licensing system ovc-r a limited range of imports, ovc-r which it would impose higher duties, should that course bo dec-mod desirable. By this moans, tho. Government hoped to divert a certain amount of Australia’s import trade from countries which had been very indifferent purchasers of Australian exports. The main points of the Government’s policy are new specific duties on foreign textiles, and new duties on foreign cotton piece-goods; an additional duty of .7d per lb. ran all imported motor chassis and parts. Payment of a bounty on local motor engine production ; imports of chassis from the United States, supplies to be restricted to import levels for the year ended April 20, 1926. Negotiations are taking place with the Canadian Government for arrangements whereby the supply of imports subjects to license control will not be diverted from their present source of supply to Canada. With a view to diverting a certain amount of import trade to Australian secondary industries, the Government intends to prohibit the importation of a large variety ot goods and commodities from countries outside the British Empire, except with the consent of the Minister of Customs Air. Gullett, explaining the licensing system, said Lhat all goods of British Empire origin would he exempt from the licensing proposals. Licenses would be freely granted in respect of imports from all countries with which Australia had a favourable trade balance and all countries f*iili which the Government was satisfied with the trade position. The total value of Australai’s import trade which the Government anticipated would be diverted almost immediately by the licensing and increased duties was £2.290,000 and. lie estimated that Australian manufacturers would benefit by tho increased output to the extent of £B4-5.000.

The additional duty on motor chassis, coupled with the hovnty for local motor engine production, should said Mr. Gullett, enable Australian manufacturers to produce, within five or six years, c-ighty per cent, of their own engine requirements. Mr. Gullett went on to-explain how the Japanese textile interests would he affected. He said the Government was not Prepared to allow imports of low priced foreign textiles to continue unchecked. He detailed the alterations to the tariff and said that Japan would continue io be the principal supplier of Australia’s market for rayons, but. under the new duties, tnc- Knit eel Kingdom should recover a considerable increase of imports of cotton, although a substantial proportion would still be supplied by Japan. The duties in each instance would be applied in accordance with tho most favoured national principles. Mr. Gullett also mentioned, with regret, the Government’s inability to reach a friendly arrangement with the Japanese Government on the subject of the curtailment of Japanese importations of cotton piece and artificial

pieeegoods. Included in a long list of goods the importation of which is now prohibited outside the Empire, except with, the Minister’s consent, are cotton pieeegoods, artificial silk, costumes, corsets, men’s and hoys' hats, linoleums. floor coverings, iron and steel plates, copper one; steel pipes, laun mowers, pasteurisers. typewriters, hinges, files, rasps, gypsum, plaster of par is. polished or other glass, spectacles. hoots, slippers, writing papers, posters, advertising, brake linings, motor-eveles. and parts of brooms car-

pet sweeners, wireless receivers, storage batteries, rifle and revolver cartridges. various types of machinery and wall and ceiling decorations. Tho Minister also announced increased duties on tobacco leaf and other tobacco products and a certain kind of timber. The tariff rate on mineral and lubricating oil has been increased from Del to Gd per gallon.