NEW FEDERAL TARIFF

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 May 1936, Page 7

NEW FEDERAL TARIFF

POSITION OF JAPAN TRADE NOT ADVERSELY AFFECTED STATEMENT BY MINISTERS (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) CANBERRA. 25th May. Sir Henry Guilett, Minister in Charge of Trade Treaties, said that so far, as he had received no official protest from Japan with regard to the new Federal tariff, he was confident that when the position was fully examined, Japan would see its trade was not adversely affected to any extent. The Prime Minister, the Hon. J. A. Lyons, pointed out that the new tariff had a two-fold purpose —to provide preference for British goods, creating markets for Australian primary pro ducts and the stimulation of Australia’s secondary industries. The ultimate aim was the resumption of immigration from Britain on a moderate scale. COUNTERMEASURES TO BE TAKEN BY JAPAN TOKIO, 24th May. Referring to Australian measures, Mr Arita, Foreign Minister, told the Lower House that the Government must now take counter-measures to protect Japan’s trade interests, after consulting organisations involved, but he hoped that Australia would speedily reconsider her decisions. “A BOMBSHELL” AMERICAN MANUFACTURERS CONCERNED AUSTRALIAN OFFICE BESIEGED (Received 26th May, 8.45 a.m.) NEW YORK, 25th May. The announcement of the details of the new tariff regulations as affecting American manufacturers was “a bombshell” in the opinion of exporting circles here, who have literally besieged the Australian Government office ill an effort to obtain further clarification of the situation. The Australian Associated Press learns that while enquiries from a wide variety of exporters were received, two particular groups seemed most concerned, notably women’s dress and perfume merchants and motor car manufacturers. It is understood General Motors have instituted enquiries both here and at Washington. The president of the export branch sent word to a correspondent, however, that the company was not ready to issue a statement since he wishes to familiarise himself more thoroughly with the situation.

BACKWARD STEP OPINION IN OFFICIAL CIRCLES RESTRAINT IN COMMENT (Received 26th May, 9.50 a.m.) WASHINGTON, 25th May. . Officials indicated to the Australian Associated Press that Australia s new import duties constitute a backward step toward a reduction of the volume of world trade and increased cost for consumers. It is generally assumed that the new duties and licenses will injure United States sales for many important products, but restraint in comment is indicated by the absence of a disposition to quarrel openly: with Australia or retaliate at present. Direct official comment was confined to observations that Australia has acted within its rights, although the United States believes that the action is wrong. It v/as added that the Government had not yet received sufficient details from Canberra to estimate accurately the damage upon the United States. It was again stressed that America s world trade programme is clear: it is anxious to reduce world import obstructions on the theory that each nation produces the best and cheapest certain materials for which it is suited by geography or specialisation. By enlarging world trade generally in such items, all nations damaging purchaser nations, and with lowered costs to consumers, multilateral treaties with trade channels relatively free are desideratum. That this is rather hard to achieve, however, seems indicated by three volumes of tariff changes in the world during the past year already compiled by the American Government, almost all constituting an increase in the rates on certain types of goods. STREAM OF MIGRATION RESPONSIBILITY ON AUSTRALIA AND BRITAIN EFFECT OF TARIFF CHANGES (Received 26th May, 10 a.m.) ! SYDNEY, This Day. The Prime Minister, the Hon. J. A. Lyons, in a speech at the Royal Empire- Society’s annual Empire Day dinner, said the renewing of a stream of migration, no matter how small it might be, was a responsibility that rested on Australia and Britain. Mr Lyons added that the tariff changes would make migration again possible.