Risky Business

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 453, 7 September 1928, Page 9

Risky Business

LEAGUE AND THE TARIFFS Australian’s Warning "BLOW AT NATIONAL POLICIES" WAKNING the League of Nations against butting in on the - tariff affairs of the different countries, Senator A. J. Me Lachlan emphasised to the. Assembly yesterday the delicateness of the problem. “In raising the question of tariffs,” he declared, “the Economic Committee is striking deep into the heart of national policies.” (United P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service)

Reed. 9.5 a.m. GENEVA, Tliurs. Senator A. J. McLachlan, addressing the League of. Nations Assembly, said Australia felt that the League’s principal aim should always be toward increasing ipternational co-operation as a means of safeguarding peace. He feared that some of its recent activities might endanger this great work. Every country desired to be the master of its own internal policy, and this should be kept constantly in view.

Last year the World Economic Conference gave a new impetus in a new direction of the League’s economic work. Australia was forced to study its activities.. Australia recognised the great importance of the League’s work in reconstructing Europe, and realised that it would share in the general benefit a more prosperous Europe. A HAZARDOUS PLAN The League’s work, designed to remove obstacles hindering trade, and prepare the ground for international agreement, had been admirable. Action regarding divergencies in the national laws on bills of exchange, anomalous Customs formalities/ and differences in tariff nomenclature constituted a legitimate and safe field for international action.

In raising the question of Customs tariffs, however, the Economic Committee was striking deep into the heart of national policies. It would be dangerous, even hazardous, for the League to concern itself actively with the Customs tariffs. Apart from any direct approach to the question by. the League, Australia was concerned with the possibility of the League calling international conferences to consider either the general question of the incidence of tariffs or the particular effect of tariffs on given commodities. SOURCE OF OFFENCE

The different countries had reached essentially different stages in development. Some were interested in a cer-

tain commodity as producers, others as consumers. International conferences called to consider such a commodity might easily cause irritation instead of amity. Therefore he was unfcignedly glad to see the Economic Commission’s cautious approach to tlje tariff problem, which was essentially national. The time had not arrived when the League could safely enter the field.

“It must, for the sake of its prestige, be doubly, nay trebly, careful oefore it embarks on an economic adventure, which however desirable to some, may be a stumbling-block and even a source of offence to others.” It must not be concluded that Australia did not desire to encourage the work of the economic organisation. She unequivocally approved its quest for clearer information and progress in commerce, industry and agriculture, also the campaign to persuade the countries to adopt comparable statistics and permit all to discover how each could contribute the best material to the welfare of the world.

“It is because it is my desire to see the League prosper that I have sounded this note of warning. Let every effort be made to collect and disseminate data, enabling each better to understand the results of its tariff; but we must be cautious how we approach the general reduction of tariffs, lest we antagonise some and weaken the League’s power to.achieve international peace and security.” A BLASE ASSEMBLY There was nothing in Senator McLachlan’s speech to arouse the blase Assembly. His big voice rolled from the. clothrscreened amplifiers, overcoming the usual undercurrent of polyglot conversation. He made his points effectively, but he suffered the inevitable handicap of reading his speech in the Assembly, which revels in the high-pitched extempores in which the Latins indulge. Nevertheless, he was vigorously applauded at the finish.