CANBERRA SHUTS THE DOOR

Southland Times, Issue 22938, 10 July 1936, Page 7

CANBERRA SHUTS THE DOOR

JAPAN’S EXPORTS LICENSING SYSTEM PROHIBITIVE SILK GOODS ONLY EXCEPTION (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rcc. 11.40 p.m.) Canberra, July 9. There is another development in the trade dispute with Japan. The Minister in Charge of Trade Treaties (Sir Henry Gullett) now explains that the list of Japanese goods subjected to licensing is actually to be prohibited entry into Australia. The only exception is raw silk and silk piece-goods, which will be admitted under licence until September 30, when it is hoped that the dispute will be ended. Although cotton piece-goods are exempt from licensing they are virtually prohibited by reason of the heavy duty. Thus the Governm-nt has imposed almost total prohibition on Japanese goods. No further protest has been received from the Japanese Government, although that country has known what was going to happen for six days. The lock-out against Japan was made more complete to-day by a special Gazette, which stipulated that goods from countries having a preferential tariff must be comprised by 50 per cent, of the material and workmanship of the country from which they are imported. This is to prevent the Japanese practice of sending certain goods to the United Kingdom and Germany, where they' are merely “touchedup” before being returned to Australia. Such goods had qualified for a preferential tariff by the simple expedient of being boxed for transit to Australia. A message from Tokyo says that the arrival in Sydney of Mr Tataki Horinouchi, successor to the present-Consul-General (Mr Kuramatsu Murai), will be considerably delayed because he has just reached Tsingtao to investigate an attack by a Chinese Customs Goat on Japanese vessels, which Japan regards seriously. The licensing system covers a very wide range of Japanese merchandise, including wearing apparel, all kinds of piece goods, jewellery, fancy goods, tinned foods, fish and even bicycles and vehicles. CANADIAN MISSION TO AUSTRALIA REVISION OF TRADE TREATY. (United Press Assn.—Telegraph Copyright.) (Rec. 11.40 p.m.) Canberra. July 9. After repeated requests from the Commonwealth Government, Canada has decided to send a trade mission to Australia in September to discuss revision of the existing trade treaty with Australia. This course was actuated by the adverse- trade balance, which is £3,000,000 in favour of Canada.