AUSTRALIA’S NEW TARIFF

Northern Advocate, 25 May 1936, Page 4

AUSTRALIA’S NEW TARIFF

COUNTRY GENERALLY SATISFIED (Received 10 a.m.) SYDNEY, May 24. Apart from woolgrowers, who fear that Japan will be irritated and may even seek reprisals, the announcement of Australia’s new tariff has caused general satisfaction. The motor trade of the Commonwealth is said to have received its biggest surprise for many years, and far-reaching readjustments of trade with exporting countries are expected to begin almost immediately.

A substantial increase in employment in most of the protected industries is predicted. Importations of chassis from the United States and Canada are to be restricted to 50,000 a year.

There will be no restrictions on Japanese on which the rates of duty will be slightly increased, but large Australian purchases are likely to be diverted to Japan at the expense of the United States. Trade in fashion goods from America, except as samples, is expected to be diverted to France, which is a good customer of this country. The United States will lose almost its entire Australian trade in refrigeration plants, toilet preparations, machinery, boots, shoes, paper and other manufactured products. Reaction In Japan. The Tokio Press features Australia’s “anti-Japanese textile measure’' under headlines, such as “Opening Shop in Trade War.” The papers comment that the measure wrecks the treaty negotiations. They also report that Mr. Brennan. South African Trade Commissioner, is touring Western Japan, and . actively canvassing Osaka business men and the Nagoya Woollen Mills in the interests of wool and other South African goods. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has ordered the Silk, Rayon and Textile Exporters’ Association strictly to control exports to Australia and to other specified countries.