§ 37. Mr. HUNTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that the contract for the plant for the small arms factory in Australia has been given to an American firm instead of to a British firm; whether he is aware that American firms are subsidised; and whether he will 1038 make representations to the Australian Government asking them to take this into consideration when British and American firms are competing for Australian requirements?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe contract for the plant for the small arms factory in Australia was given to an American firm by the Commonwealth Government nearly three years ago; the Secretary of State is not aware whether the firm in question is subsidised; and he sees no sufficient ground for communicating with the Commonwealth Government on a subject which is within their own discretion.
§ Mr. HUNTIs it a fact that the Government do not care whether foreign manufacturers are subsidised or not, and are we to understand that the Government is willing to allow British manufacturers to be handicapped to any extent by this foreign competition?
§ Mr. TENNANTThe answer is in the negative. At any rate this is a matter entirely within the discretion of the Commonwealth Government.
§ Mr. HUNTIs it not within the discretion of our own Government to protect our own manufacturers? If the Government refuse to do anything why are Ministers paid at all?
§ Mr. TENNANTIt is certainly not in the province of this Government to dictate to our Oversea Dominions what they shall do in such matters.
§ Mr. SPEAKERIt is no use arguing this question over and over again.