TROUBLED AUSTRALIA

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 886, 1 February 1930, Page 11

TROUBLED AUSTRALIA

COAL CRISIS WORRIES AUTHORITIES HIGH TARIFF CONTEMPLATED United P. .I. —By Telegraph Copyright SYDNEY. Friday. The coal mining dispute is likely to engage the Prime Minister. Mr. .1. 11. Scullin, and the Premier ot New South Wales. Mr. T. R. Baviu, during the coming week-end. Mr. Bavin has announced that his Government is seriously considering the withdrawal of the offer it made in September to reduce coal-handling charges. Mr. Scullin is perturbed by the recent turn of events in financial circles abroad, due to the industrial unrest in Australia. Mr. E. G. Theodore is reported to have told some of his constituents that the Federal Government is seriously thinking of imposing a prohibitive tariff on imported coal. AUSTRALIA REBUFFED HOISERY TRADE MAKES PROTECTIVE MOVE LONDON, Thursday. The Joint Industrial Council of tba hosiery trade has passed a resolution expressing surprise and resentment at the “vindictive” treatment uuder the Australian tariff accorded to British knit-wear. The duties range from 150 to 600 per cent., and are tantamount to a prohibition ot importation. Therefore the suggestion that valuable preferences are still offered is not warranted. The resolution adds:—The • British industry’s claims to consideration as an important customer for Australia’s raw materials and products have been ruthlessly ignored. It Is natural, therefore, that the trade should, iu its own interest, seek to obtain its requirements from sources where tho value of reciprocity is more highly ap* predated than in the Commonwealth.