UNSATISFACTORY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 144, 19 June 1936, Page 7

UNSATISFACTORY

AUSTRALIAN TRADE OFFER JAPAN MOVES TO INVOKE PROTECTION LAW. Received June 18, 5.5 p.m. TOK.IO, June 17. The Don'iei Press Agency learns that Australia’s reply, received this afternoon, regarding trade negotiations, is unsatisfactory, and that at an official conference it was decided to submit in- 1 vocation of the trade protection law to Cabinet, which is expected to obtain 1 Imperial sanction for enforcement on : Friday. A Foreign Office spokesman, Mr. Arnau, doubted whether retaliation j against Australia could be enforced as i soon as to-morrow, but it undoubtedly i would be within a few days. According to reports from the Aus- i tralian consul, Mr. Murai, Japan is willing to continue negotiations for a treaty with Australia after the retalia- I tory measures become effective. Mr. Arnau added that retaliation was • supported by all circles, even the manu- I facturers, who consider it a good oppur- I tunity to establish the independence of tho clothing industry, including the development of a suitable substitute for wool. A recent Canberra cable slated that as an inducement to Japan to reopen trade treaty negotiations, the Commonwealth Government is prepared to transfer Japanese goods from the general tariff division to the intermediate j division. This would reduce the duty on Japanese rayon from 9d to 8d a yard and on cotton piece goods by jd all round. Australia is also prepared to undertake to ensure that Japan retains at least half her present rexti’e , trade, while facilities will also be a- ( forded for Japan steadily to expand her , Australian trade as a “good-customer” country.