28 DECEMBER 1929, Page 2

The Australian Tariffs The criticism in this country (notably by

the Australian section of the London Chamber of Commerce) of the new Australian Government's tariffs has provoked a reply from Mr. Scullin, the Prime Minister. He pleads, above all, the need to create employment, putting the present number of the unemployed in Australia at 150,000, and asserts that the building up of primary and secondary industries side by side is the right way. For the same reason he flouts the suggestion of a world tariff truce. He does not mention 'at all the attractions of " Empire Free Trade." His answer to the British Government's representations is that the duty on finished goods can in no wise be remitted, but that some relief may be expected on raw materials such as cotton yarn.

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