FOREIGN TRADE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22101, 3 November 1933, Page 10

FOREIGN TRADE

AUSTRALIAN POLICY (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, October 26. Within the next few months, if success attends negotiations just opened, Australia will enter into trade agreements with nearly every leading European country, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Norway, Holland, Poland, Greece, Denmark and Rumania. The Consuls for each of these countries visited Canberra last week and had a long consultation with the Minister for Customs (Mr White). The policy of the Commonwealth was fully explained, and the foundation was laid for future negotiations with the respective Governments. It is recognised that the task which faces the Federal Government is no easy one, as international trade is far from settled, and is subject to all sorts of eddies and currents. It will probably be some months before any finality is reached, and the fact that Australia will have to make some concessions is not going to simplify matters, seeing that the Government is pledged to give whole-hearted support to the Ottawa agreements. In adopting what is regarded as a progressive trade policy with friendly business countries, the Commonwealth believes that it is making a definite contribution to world recovery by assisting in breaking down existing barriers to international trade. It is hoped that the countries concerned will see the matter in the same light. The items on which Australia is prepared to grant concessions to good customers who, it is hoped, will become hotter customers, are mainly luxury items, but in no cases will preferences be given below the 15 per cent, margin in favour of Britain, as provided for in the Ottawa agreements.

The Federal Government is satisfied that in many cases there is ample-margin for certain foreign preferences above the. level necessary to protect worth-while Australian’ industries. Three Commonwealth departments are making detailed preparations for the treaty negotiations which will begin in earnest when the tariff has been passed by Parliament in about a fortnight’s time. It would obviously be impossible to discuss duties with foreign countries when there is still a possibility of an alteration in the schedule. .The Commerce Department is preparing lists of Australian products for which preferences will be sought, and these will be presented to the Consuls of the different Governments. It is the function of this department to push, the sale of Australian goods in countries where they are most likely to be required. The Customs Department enters into the picture as the watchdog of Australian industry and the Commonwealth revenue, and the Department of External Affairs will handle most of the formal and diplomatic communications.