THE DOMINIONS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 18, 22 January 1935, Page 2

THE DOMINIONS

BRITISH PROTECTION MELBOURNE, Jan. 2. i hut is a growing feeling i u Australia in favour of an early imperial review of the preferential policy and. its tendencies. 'Phis much is expected from ;hc Umpire Conference to be held early next ,\c.ir. While the British Government lias pointed to the gains in British hade secured at Ottawa, Australia has protested against the proposals for lestiictions on her products in the English market, which have followed upon ttie Ottawa Agreement. The cutting down of meat exports to Britain would affect Australia, it is aecia red, juorc than any other Dominion and have a specially prejudicial effvet on the Commonwealth’s development. It is further observed that while the Argentine supplies about 60 per cent, of Great Britain’s meat imports, Britain’s adverse trade balance with that country during the last ten years was about 450 million pounds, whereas Britain had a favourable trade balance with Australia during the same period of about 65 million pounds. Australian advocates of imperial trade reciprocity regret comparisons like these, but at the same time they fear that (he quota system, as adopted by Great Britain, and British agreements with foreign countries for the supply ot primary products, may check seriously the advancement of Ernpin trade unity. Australia has been forced by restrictions on her products in European markets—restrictions due in some respects to the substantial preferences she is giving British goods— to consider the making of trade treaties with countries beyond the Empire, which will mean the transference of a certain amount of trade from other channels. There is a strong feeling in Australia for Empire trade, and it is hoped that British policy will favour arrangements guaranteeing the Dominions terms of stability k and reasonable reciprocity. Hindrance to the extension of Australia’s primary industries would make it harder for this country to settle its extensive nreas and meet its heavy overseas interest, bill*.