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AUSTRALIA'S TARIFF
Iron and Steel Duties
Questions in Commons.
Attitude of Minister.
LONDON, 29th November.
In the House of Commons to-diiy Mr.
Hacking, -Under-Secretary for Oversens
Trade, informed Mr. Alexander that lie
lincl already given uttenlion to the new
Australian tnrilf on iron and steel. He
was awaiting full details of all the new
duties, which, lie understood, included
increased preferences on some goods, be
fore considering whether he would make
representations to the Commonwealth.'
Mr. Alexander: In view of the large
British grants for the encouragement of
Empire trade, will these prohibitive duties
be inquired into ?
Mi. Hacking: If necessary, representa
tions will bo lnndc.
Mr. Williams: Does not Australia al
ready give Britain preference estimated
nt £20,000,000 annually '!
Mi. Hacking: We are receiving, and.
shall continue to receive, preference. ,
Speculations of Lobby Writers.
Fir. Hacking's reply to the question
concerning tlio Australian tariff has set
the lobby writers speculating as to the
extent '. of British representations, if,
nny. Tho constitutional position is that
Australia, is quite independent in such
matters, but it is open to Britain, through
tlio , department of overseas trade, to
transmit, tlie representations of British'
traders, .with pot-haps discreet official
comment, and . the suggestion 6f sympa
thetic reconsideration. ' But if the Com
monwealth docs not shift its ground there
tlie matter ends.
It is pointed out that there is a pre-,
cedent in Australia's representations in
the 'matter of preference, also, that -the'
new Imperial relations provide for in-,
formative, consultative intercommunica
tion when the interests of any of -the
parlnei's are involved.
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