U.S.A. TARIFF WALL

Hokitika Guardian, 10 April 1929, Page 3

U.S.A. TARIFF WALL

A USTR ALTA’S ATTITUDE

(United Press Association—By Electric

1 elegraph—Copyright)

WASHINGTON. April 8. Ino British Ambassador, Sir Esmt Howard, this afternoon presented a memorandum to the State IV.pa.rtment. outlining Australia’s attitude towards the contemplated revision of th,. American tariff. The document, "huh consists approximately of nine hundred words, is accompanied by the necessary statistical matter. It "as prepared by Mr Uiw, in conjunction with Sir John Broderick, of the British Embassy, and. according to tin' former, it is in no sense to he construed as a “protest.” It is miller being “friendlv.”

Argentina, Canada and France have been among the nations which have opened conversations with the American Government on its tariff. (he feeling in the latter countries is so strong that the reprisal aspect enters as a serious complication. It is understood that the Australian altitude is rather different, taking the point of view that the American Government, by co-operation, can avoid tho inevitable difficulties arising from the virtually embargo rates upon important commodities exported bv the Commonwealth, such as have been asked for by important interests in (lie United States during the recent sittings of the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee. Such rates have been the inevitable consequence of the ombarassing of the American exporters of important manufacured commodities, due to the inevitable disturbances of trade arising from the- shutting off of the American market for primary goods from the customer nations.

The exposition of Australia’s position is in the light of the much-noted intent, during the coming session of Congress, to revise upward the rates of such commodities as meat, wheat, fruit, hardwood timbers, etc. It is understood that the Australian memorandum follows the general lines indicated by the Government at Canberra, although the text of the document was drawn up here and at New York.

It is further indicated that, until the mutual consent of the U.S.A. State Department and the Government at Canberra is obtained, tlie text will not be published here, although it may be cabled to Australia for release there.