FRENCH TARIFFS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16347, 23 May 1927, Page 7

FRENCH TARIFFS

“NEW MEASURE WILL PASS” A PROTECTIVE BARRIER (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.! PARIS, May 21. M. Bader, interviewed, said lie expected the Senate would ratify' the Tariff Bill, under which France will only' he protecting herself against countries which have raised a high tariff barrier against. French goods. France’s existing tariffs were made a long time, ago and were no longer in keeping with tho depreciation of the franc. From his experience of, many years as a Trade Commissioner I in Australia, it would seem that Aus- 1 t-ralia treats France more as though she were an enemy than an ally'. The Australian tariff, in many eases, was so high that it practically debarred French goods, despite the fact that these were not being manufactured in Australia, and were not likely to be for many years. Naturally' the increase in the tariffs would affect Australia’s trade with France, but it. was difficult, at present, to judge the extent of the loss. The Commonwealth representative in Paris, interviewed, said he expected the Senate would ratify the tariff, lie did not see how it could affect Australia’s trade with France to any important extent. Wool ami sheepskins Would not be affected. Wheat, would be subjected to an advance, but not a drastic o,llc so far as Australia was concerned. The duty on miners Is. would probably be reduced, which would be to Australia’s advantage and the duty on meat would probably remain unchanged. He could not see where the proposed changes would cause any' set-back to Australia’s export trade.