FRENCH CUSTOMS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19847, 23 May 1927, Page 7

FRENCH CUSTOMS

NEW TARIFF BILL Senate Expected to Agree to Ratification EFFECT ON AUSTRALIAN TRADE [By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright.] Received May 22, 5.5 p.m. (A. & N.Z.) PARIS, May 21. M. Bader when interviewed, said he expected tho Senate to ratify the Tariff Bill, under which France will only be protecting herself against countries which have raised high tariff barriers against French goods. Franco’s existing tariffs were made a long time ago and were no longer in keeping with the depreciation .of the franc. From his experience of many years as Trade Commissioner in Australia, said the Minister it would seem that Australia treated France more as though she was an enemy than an ally. The Australian tariff was in many cases so high that it practically debarred French goods, despite the fact that similar goods cannot be manufactured in Australia and are not likely to be for many years.

“Naturally tho increase in tariffs will affect Australia’s trade with France, but it is difficult at the present to judge the extent of the loss,” ho said.

Tho Commonwealth representative in Paris, interviewed, said he expected that the Senate would ratify the Bill. He did not see how it could, affect Australia’s trade with France to any important extent. Wool and sheepskins would not be affected. Wheat would be subjected to an advance but not a drastic one, so far as Australia was concerned. The duty on minerals would' probably be reduced, which would be to Australia’s advantage, and tho duty on meat would probably remain unchanged. He could not see where the proposed changes would cause any setback to Australia’s export trade.