AUSTRALIA AND GERMANY.

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 17113, 7 April 1921, Page 7

AUSTRALIA AND GERMANY.

RESUMPTION OF TRADE RELATIONS. (By Cable—Press Association—Copyrights (Australian Mid N.Z. Cable Association.) (Received April 6th, 6.6' p.m.) SYDNEY, April 6. The Labour Conference decided to obJc the Government to thoroughly enquire into all phases of the wheat industry. The Minister of Agriculture, who was present, stated that at tho price at which wheat had been sold to Germany, it could not be landed in Germany under 12s 6d per bushel. In justifying the sale, ho.said that if it was right to export foodstuffs to Germany, it was only right that imported German goods should be allowed into. Australia. He trusted the Federal Government would remove the embargo from German im-. ports.

(from owl own correspondent.) SYDNEY, March 30.

Much interest has been aroused by the announcement of the Prime Minister that Parliament will be asked, very shortly, to say whether or not trade relations are to bo resumed with Germany. This is tantamount to saying that the Government is abandoning the policy adopted two years ngt> that under no conditions would trade relations ba resumed with Germany. Mr Hughes made the announcement in a fiery speech in the Melbourne Town Hall. Ho'wrapped it .round with his usual expressions of fervent patriotism, and, as usual, ho was cheered to the echo. His reply to those who would have pointed out that tho policy was unreasonable and impracticable, amounted to a snarl.

Sinqo then, every nation except Australia has gradually resumed trade relations with our former hated enemy. It has been pointed out that this is no indication that we'hato the Hun any less, but is simply a recognition of the fact that the world's economic system is so adjusted that one nation cannot be sent commercially to Coventry by the others, without a general disturbance; and that Gormany will never, be able to pay an indemnity unless she can trade with the rest of the world. And now Mr Hughes has surrendered. "It is no use our thinking that Australia is the only nation in step, when all the others are united in another step, he The declaration was forced from the Prime Minister by a rather rcmarkablo disclosure in regard to wheat. Australia has had, and still has, an enormous quantity of wheat for saw abroad. A eertin price (practically 7a 6d per bushel) haß been guaranteed tho farmers, and the Wheat Board, which handles tho Pool, has been forced to seek the best possible price abroad. -It was found possible to get prioos ranging from 9e to 9s 5d from Germany—and so tho Wheat Board sold to Germany. This, however, was kept secret, because no private .person in this country mny trade with Gormany. When tho truth did come out last week, it came with the statement that wheat was being sold to the Germans a<>,very much less than was being charged the Australians for local consumpUon--, namely, 9s per bushel. This caused a great sensation-and even now tho argument aa to whethe:- the .sales to the Germans wore f.o.b. or c.i.f. proceeds merrily. . .... , ._. _ . „ The Government is likojy to get a castigating for itself (through tho Wheat Board) trading with Germany, arid refusing to allow the Australian commercial Houses to do so.