TRADE DISPUTE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19139, 7 October 1936, Page 5

TRADE DISPUTE

DEALINGS WITH JAPAN PROMPT ACTION SOUGHT CANBERRA, Sept. 25. A section of the Country Party is dissatisfied with the Government’s conduct of negotiations for the settlement of the trade dispute between Australia- and Japan, it favours either the .appointment of a Country Party Minister to cooperate with the Minister in Charge of Trade Treaties, Sir Henry Gullett, in the negotiations, or a readjustment of Cabinet duties so that a Country Party Minister would take charge of the negotiations. It is believed that the position was discussed this morning) at a meeting of the Country Party, at which the leader of tho party, Hr. Page, was present foi only part of the time. No resolutions were passed, but it was decided to hold another meeting next week.

The policy of the Government in the trade dispute has (he whole-hearted support of Dr. Page, and it is believed that other Country Party members as a whole have expressed no dissatisfaction, but a section is concerned at the fact that a settlement lias not been reached. The members of this section intend to urge that the .Ministry be requested to redouble its efforts'for a settlement, to encourage Japanese buyers to the Australian wool sales this season, and, if there is not an early settlement, the Government should give graziers an undertaking that they will not be expected to bear the whole burden of any reduction of prices. A move may be made for a conference between private members of the Country Party and private members of the United Australia Party representing country constituencies to evolve some common policy. It is not yet known whether tho views hold by this section of the Country Party have sufficient support to secure action along the lines proposed.