AFRICA'S POSITION

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 2, Issue 290, 2 August 1932, Page 5

AFRICA'S POSITION

(Press. Assn.-

REPLY TO MR. BALDWIN

— By Telegraph — Copyright).

OTTAWA, Monday, Mr. Havenga (South Africa), hai issued a statement commenting on the British delegation's pronourrcerqent on Thursday in which he says: —

between Bd'itain and South Africja makes it unnecessary to stress the already-elear fact that th'e idea of striking a balance-shaet of advantages and concessions is quite foreign to the minds of the South African delegation. "Nevertheless I feel constrained to oifer comments on some of Mr. Bald- . win's ohservations and deductions, doing so not in a carping, ungenerous spirit, but in a frank effort to see ihe trade relations between the couniries in their proper perspective. No Compla'ints Made "South Africa never objected to Britain's treatment of her commodities, nor complained of the spirit Britain had manifested in trade matters, nor had she heen querulous of the fact that preferential treatment •vas not always reciprocated. Mr. Havenga went on to state that Mr. Baldwin had stressed that a largo proportion of the Dominions' products o vere still enjoying free entry into Britain, and submitted that the aclentuation of this point was disproportionate to the consequential advantage to the Dominions. "Britain takes from the Dominions mostly foodsturfs and raw materials, which, in its own interests and in aceordance with its fiseal policy, have been given free entry. Britain's exnorts are manufactured articles. Nothing Unreasonable "South Africa would see nothing unnatural nor unreasonable in her produce being subjected to duties in the British market for protection of Britain's domestic produce and the delegation would not suggest that Britain should grant concessions militating against British domestic industries, but South Africa would welcome preference for Dominion over foreign products. "South Africa considers that the table showing that the union has a considerable favourable trade balance is misleading because it includes gold among the consumptible merchandise, also transhipments and subsequent exunrts.

"South Africa submits that a statement such as Mr. Baldwin's does not best serve the objective of the- Conference — namely, examining ways and means for Empire co-operation and extending existing mar kets. Mr. Baldwin's statement aggregates the Dominion's trade with Britain, and consequently reflects a favourable trade balance for the Dominions. "South Africa's position is peculiar. She encouraged British imports without insisting on quantative trade reciprocity, and if the figures are examined in their true perspective they would show a balance of trade de- - finitely in British favour." South Africa's Imports Mr. Baldwin's figures, Mr. Havenga said, showed that South Africa's total imports for the year 1930 from all sources were £63,357,000, nambly " from — Britain £29,735,000 Other British' Countries £6,947,000 Foreign Countries £26,675,000 Mr. Havnega stated these figures did not truly refleet the Union's absorption of British goods, for an ihcreasing market in the Union was offered those goods. South Africa within one year rose from eighth place, compared with other customers of Britain, to fourth place, which she now occupied. "South Africa uses more than twice as much' British merchandise than Britain uses of South African merchandise. Inasmuch as South Africa has an insufiiciency of commercial bills in Britain to pay for what she buys there she is compelled to pay for a portion in eash. "South Africa bought from Britain > in 1930 more than £29,000,000 of commodities which enter into competitive trade, while Britain bought from South- Africa, £12,000,000 of such' goods. This favourable British posi- • tion in South Africa's ' competitive trade is the normal position." : Mr. Havenga suggests an early diseussion on lines in which Britain and South Africa can give mutual assist-