AUSTRALIA’S TRADE

Grey River Argus, 5 October 1945, Page 5

AUSTRALIA’S TRADE

NEED OF TARIFF PROTECTION CANBERRA, Oct. 4 The Tariff Board, whose annual report was- tabled in the House of Re--presentatives urges the greatest discrimination in dealing with wartime industries that might require abnormal protection to survive in peace, but it may be necessary to burden the community permanently with high protection for industries essential to national security, or that promise exceptional social benefits. The Board recommends immediate consultations with the British Government on a temporary arrangement to protect worthwhile Australian industries until reviews in accordance with the Ottawa Agreement are possible. It says that while many wartime activities must disappear, Australia should not have to sacrifice industries with prospects of permanence, by too rigid adherence to an agreement that was not drafted with the present, state of affairs in mmd. The report declares that the fixing of tariffs on the basis of production costs would be impossible in the early post-war years. Conditions governing manufacturing in Britain and Australia had been drastically changed during the war. Equally drastic changes could be expected as the two countries adapted themselves <.O peace conditions. Questioned in the Hou'e of Representatives on the report that America would demand the elimination of Empire tariff preference, Mr. Chif’ey said that Australia would not forego Empire preference lightly. The Prime Minister added that he would rmt attempt to survey the possible results of the demand. - The Federal Cabinet has decided to appoint 11 Australian trade commissioners to nine countries. Three will be appointed to the United States and one each to Britain, the Netherlands East Indies, British Malava, the Middle East, India. China, Fiance and Brazil. The Commissioners to America will be appointed, to Washington, New York and San Francisco. One of these, Mr. J. U. Gar_ side will become Commerical Counsellor to the Australian Legation m Washington.