FAVOURING JAPAN

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 31, 5 August 1936, Page 14

FAVOURING JAPAN

SOUTH AFRICAN TARIFF

According to Japanese Press reports, the Parliament of the Union of South Africa has decided to reduce the Customs revenue by £550,000 by a tariff revision affecting more than 100 items. Tha Japanese Consul in Cape Town has reported to the Foreign Office in Tokio that the revision wUi encourage Japanese trade with South Africa.

•Among the reductions on Japanese goods are the following:— Old rate. Newrato. I'cr cent. Per cent. Suitcases 25 20 lieatlKcar other than hunting caps 25 29 Timepieces 20 13 Gramopliono records anil needles 20 15 Gelatine, 5 rica Tea (per Ib) sil .3d Automobiles, tricycles 15 10 Blotting paper, carbon paper 15 10 Metal ware 20 15 "In view of the marked change of the trade prospects with the Union of South Africa subsequent to the Japanese purchase of African wool." states the "Osaka Mainichi." "the tariff revision is regarded as especially timely from the Japanese point of view."

. The paper give prominence to' the remarks of the South' African Trade Commissioner (Mr. Andrew T. Brennan) to Japanese business men at the Osaka Chamber of Commerce . last month. Mr. Brennan pointed out that in 1935 South Africa bought from Japan goods worth 33,000,000 yen. and sold to Japan goods worth 4,500,000 yen. The Union had been eager to adjust the trade balance for some years, irrespective of the Australian , issue. . t I "It so happened that the Australian issue broke out with my arrival in this country," Mr. Brennan is reported to have said. "It gives the appearance that South Africa is seeking better trade with Japan, taking advantage of the unfavourable turn against Australia. But this is not so. We would rather not have you consider us as a substitute. We have been eager to have our trade balance with Japan readjus»d from our independent point of view." •