AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3449, 31 March 1920, Page 5

AUSTRALIAN NEWS.

‘THE NEW AUSTRALIAN TARIFF.

HOW IT WILL_ A‘FFECT ‘BRITISH %' TRADE) ‘

SOME TRADE OPINIONS.

Réceived 10.10 a.m.

LONDON, March 29

Australian mercantile circles are anxiously awaiting full details of the tariff proposals. General Teeling approves of the removal of embar-goes granting preference to‘ Britain and the Dominions, with limitations where economic conditions are lower than Australia's. Some merchants consider the new tariff must cause a reduction in British exports to Australia.

Mr Tl-edwen, Chairman of the ‘Australian Merchant Association, says while giving us welcome preference over foreigners, Australia. exiidently does not want to encourage imports: This may raise a difficulty in the position regarding shipping. Mr Tredwen states at present steamers are going to Australia with only quarter cargoes. The increased tariff will mean that still less cargo will be shipped and fewer steamers will load for .Australia. It, therefore, is likely there will be insufficient tonnage To lift all Australia desires to expoi-t, and possibly there will be increased freights fo-r produce to Europe.

Hoft goods trader.s, in response to the Australian Press inquiries, state they do not think the proposed increased tariff on woollens will adversely affect the trade, particularly while the present conditions in the world prevail, The full effect of tariff will not be realised until prewar conditions are restored; but it is likely ‘Australian competition with England for many years to come will be confined to lower medium clothes. Even then, it is doubtful whether Australia will be able to produce sufficient for its own needs. The tariff: together with the high cost of production and other charges will be sulficieiat to exclude English cloths of the first quality, except to the extent to which Australian production will fall short of the demand. Regarding the better solid worsted goods ,the effect of the extra tariff will be unappreci-

able except to increase the cost to Australian purchasers. Machinery, plant", and skilled labour are all wanting in Australia to enable her to compete seriously in the productfon of highly finished cloths.

SYDNEY, March 30.

TllO Premiers’ Conference, fixed for April 26th, has been posfponed owing to the uncertainty of the result of tho. N.S.W. elections.

The Factory Employees’ Union has decided to serve notices on the employers demanding a. 40-hour week.

Mr Crane, Assistant Minister of Lands, is definitély defeated.

MELBO—URN'.E, March 30.

Shipowners anticipate that Government-, control of ships, WOOI, and wlle.'Lt_, will cease at the end of June.

Negotiations for a settlement of the printers’ dispute" failed.

Received 10.55 a.m. ~ SYDNEY, This Day.

The Master Builder's Association has decided to prosecute the Ibl'iCklayers refusing to work on Saturday. and convened a meeting on Tuesday to discuss a general close down on all works pending a settlement in the Arbitration Court by legislation. The latest election figures give La.bour 44, ‘Anti-Laibour 46 seats. MELBOURNE, This Day.

The price of the Argus has been" increased to léd. For S“a‘turda.y’s Issfie, it remains -at 2d.

In the House’of Represel'lt“atives Mr Hughes stated there would be no extension of the mol'atOl'ium.

The price of beer has increased 23/ per hogshead and bottled beer by 2/ per dozen owing to the new tariff.

The price of the four pound loaf has been fixed at 10.‘gd. ‘ADELAIDE, This Day.

My Anstey, Commissioner of Crown Lands, and Mr Ha;-vey,‘lVlinister of Agrfculfure, both Nationalists, resigned from the Peake Government. This means the breaking up of the Coalition and the creation of a Liberal Government. ‘