War Over Wool
The arguments which have been used during the past week to ex- cuse the inexcusable Robertson Bill, which proposes to raise the United States wool tarilf by so per cent., have been a remarkable tribute to those individuals and interests whose aim it is to retain all conceivable restrictions on trade for as long as possible. It has been hinted that the sharp disagreement between the United States and Australia is very awkward for the British, who do not wish to sacrifice either the benefits of co-operation with the Americans or the tics of the Commonwealth. Excuses have been made for the American wool interest on the ground that it is trying to negotiate a change-over from meat production to high-grade wool. There has been the curious proposal that the American duties might be adjusted to let in Australian meat, butter and fat (which the rest of the world wants) as a compensation for the exclusion of wool (of which the rest of the world has enough). And there has been the remarkable suggestion, from Sydney of all places, that since Australian wool can get to America over the present duty of 34 cents everything is all right. This magnanimity, which would present the amount of the duty to Americans rather than Australians, is as astonishing as it is unnecessary. But solicitude for the Americans is not confined to Australia. There is a quite touching willingness everywhere to spare their feelings. There is certainly no reason to hamper Mr. Will Clayton, who is pleading hard for some reconciliation between low-tariff doctrine and high-tariff practice. The Senate has already reversed the heavy majority given to the Robertson Bill in the House of Representatives, and it is said that President Truman would use his veto if necessary. But that is not enough. This Bill should never have been born. If it is thrown out now every possible move must be taken to ensure that it does not reappear later. The harder the blow struck now against the forces of trade restriction, the better the chance that in matters of international trade the United States will lead thesworld forward rather than backward.
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