EYES ON TRADE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21181, 31 October 1938, Page 6

EYES ON TRADE

AMERICAN LEGATION FOR AUSTRALIA INTERESTING COMMENT Oaltec Press Association-Bv mieccne Telegraph—Copyright (Received October 30, 7.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, October 2L Rumours are current that the United States is seriously considering the opening of a Legation in Australia, if Australia consents to appoint a Minister in America. Discussing the suggestion, the Columbia Trade Press Service observes: There are many people here who still think Australia is a land of cannibals, sheep and jungle. With the oppe’-.t-ment of the youngest Prince ot the House of Windsor as GovernorGeneral the time seems propitious for a real campaign to sell the American public the idea. Modern cities like Sydney and Melbourne exist, however, judging from the comment of Senator William King, members of the Senate Foreign Affairs Committee, who says the American supporters of Legation proposal ;.re actuated cy realistic domestic motive. Senator King stressed to Columbia Service that the United States needed to develop markets, pointing out that foreign trade dropped from 6.000,000.000 dollars to under 2,000,000,000 in 1932. It is important we remain that trade. There were vast comparatively untapped markets in Aus ralia, besides the country deserves the same diplomatic dignity as Canada and South Africa. Wc should send a good businessman as Minister with the ideals of Mr Cordell Hull and others. He would make an ideal salesman to explore Australian markets. The Columbia Service, however, pointing out that the rising trade balance was favouring America, sagely comments that the Australian view will doubtless be that Australia needs salesmen more than America. Mr Keith, trade officer told the Service that the Australian Legation was a possibility, but added that Legations- were expensive and Australians were very Scotch. “I fear,” he said, “I shall be a very old man before the Minister actually arrives.”