Report of the British Economic Mission to Australia

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Monograph

Identifikator:: 179824683X

URN:: urn:nbn:de:zbw-retromon-182286

Document type:: Monograph

Title:: Report of the British Economic Mission to Australia

Place of publication:: London

Publisher:: His Majesty's Stationery Office

Year of publication:: 7th January 1929

Scope:: 63 S.

Digitisation:: 2022

Collection:: Economics Books

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Document type:: Monograph

Structure type:: Chapter

Title:: Supplementary memoranda

Collection:: Economics Books

TE as it may be found necessary to im- pose in order to promote it. 9. Although Great Britain is a country which has followed the policy of free imports, she does levy a revenue duty upon certain classes of goods; already certain remissions of these duties in favour of Empire pro- duced goods exist, but some extensions of these remissions might be favourably considered if by such action it can be shown that reciprocal trade is bene- fited. 10. In our report we have dealt, in connection with infant industries, with the question of bounties versus pro- tection. We hold that bounties cost less to the community than protec tion does, and are subject to fewer abuses in that the cost to the com- munity is more easily ascertained and appreciated. It would therefore in our judgment be well, both from the political and the economic point of view, for Great Britain, if she deems it to be desirable to make further con- tributions to preferential trade, to dv so in the form of direct assistance to the marketing of Australia’s produce. 11. ‘We believe that a close inquiry, assisted by experts and the opinions of those directly concerned with the various commodities in both countries, into the incidence of tariff and pre- ferences would reveal many anomalies and would show that in some cases the scope and scale of the present pre- ferences to Great Britain are not so effective as the mutual desire for re- ciprocal trade warrants, and in other cases that the cost to Australia is not as low as it might well be. 12. We hold that the imposition of suitable safeguards for the importer should be a condition of the granting of a preferential rate. At the present time, under the Australian * anti- dumping’ regulations, a person ex- porting goods to Australia may be required to furnish proof that the prices of his goods are not lower than those ruling in the country of origin. The information required from him ander this regulation might quite well be used for the alternative purpose of ascertaining that the f.o.b. prices of preferred exports to Australia are not in excess of the general prices ruling in Great Britain. 13. So much for the national aspect; we would turn now to the question of industrial and personal relations, which we believe are more important ‘rom the point of view of the pro- motion of reciprocal {rade than pre- ferences or bounties. We have realised that there. is a very strong inclination throughout Australia, first to buy Australian-made goods and after that British; propaganda work in Great Britain is doing a great deal to en- gender in the consumer the desire to buy Empire goods, and this epirit thould be encouraged as much ae possible in both countries. 14. It is desirable that Australian ndustrial and commercial practice should advance as far ag possible along British lines and in accordance with 3ritish standards. It is evident that ‘nthe past British industrial practices aave been laid down primarily to meet British conditions. Australian needs should also be studied, and, if possible, British practice and standards should be modified when this can be done with advantage to meet Australian sonditions. It is essential that British manufac- surers should clearly appreciate the present needs of Australia, and the trend of her developing requirements. 15. We have realised that a far sloser touch should be developed and maintained between British and Aus- sralian industrialists and institutions roncerned with industrial problems. We suggest that a Federation of Aus ralian Industries, possibly emerging yut of the existing Chambers of Com- nerce and Manufactures, should be ‘ormed, corresponding to the Federa- ion of British Industries; that there should be the closest exchange of in- ‘ormation through the Secretariats of hese two organisations; and that seriodical visits by leading representa- iives of each organisation should be arranged to the other’s country, 16. We believe that it would be to the benefit of both countries if home ind dominion manufacturers developed 1 policy of co-operation. For instance, take the motor car industry: Australia can at present produce economically

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