THE DECKS CLEARED

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 24, 29 January 1938, Page 9

THE DECKS CLEARED

WAY FOR TRADE TALKS

AUSTRALIA AND AMERICA

POSSIBLE ITEMS FOR

CONCESSIONS

(United Press Association—By Electric f Telegraph—Copyright.) NEW YORK, January 27.

" "We are now able to negotiate," Mr. Keith Officer, Australian Government representative in Washington, told the Australian Associated news agency, in summing up the point of view of all parties which participated in the negotiations for a restoration of most-: favoured nation privileges, to Australia. He pointed out that the State Department rigidly declined any trade treaty negotiations with nations on the so-called "black list." The : decks were now cleared for discussions on a possible pact between. Australia, and America, and while it was realistically envisaged that much difficult negotiation still separated the two countries from the desired reciprocal expansion of trade, tliere was considerable optimism that much that was worth while could now be achieved. Trade circles most familiar with Australian and American trade, after a careful canvass of the position, expressed the opinion to the. Australian Associated Press that American • concessions to Australia under the possible trade treaty might begin with the finer counts of wool, which America does not produce; also, in view of the high prices of meat, Australian iputton; also spirits, possibly the Scotch type of whiskies and wines; off-season fruits, if opposition from California and Florida can * be, overcome; sausage casings, for which. America promises a market possibly greater than Germany; and fine cabinet woods, of which experts in America believe Australia's potentialities as a producer have been virtually untouched.... THE LEGATION QUESTION. ' Today's developments again centred attention on the question of an Australian legation at .Washington. It is pointed out that the success of the negotiations under the auspices of Sir Ronald Lindsay, tne British Ambassador, again emphasised 'the wisdom of continuing Australan diplomatic representation as part of the British Embassy. It is questioned whether relations between Australia and America are sufficiently extensive to keep a legation busy. American circles are convinced that Australia will probably decide on continuance of diplomatic representation at the British Embassy, at. the same time further clarifying and -probably strengthening the New York office. It is intimated that Australia will appoint a High Commissioner, in America as an ultimate solution of the representation Pr°klem-i^_^^yv