40. Sir F. HALLasked the Undersecretary of State for the Colonies if the Australian Commonwealth has, since the Armistice, prohibited the importation into that country of sheep-dips from Great Britain; and if he can give an assurance that a similar prohibition will not be imposed on other British-manufactured goods?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Lieut. - Colonel Amery)Representations were made by manufacturers of sheep-dips in this country which were brought to the notice of the Commonwealth Government by telegram on the 25th April. A reply was received on the 10th May, stating that, in view of extreme necessity, representatives of British manufacturers were urged to manufacture dip in Australia; that they refused, and that Australian manufacturers were then pressed by the Government and consented to manufacture under a promise of protection. The telegram added that the embargo was of a temporary character pending the introduction of a tariff, and that, meanwhile, it was regretted that importations could not be permitted. I am not in a position to give any assurance that a similar prohibition will not be imposed on other manufactured goods by the Commonwealth Government.
Sir F. HALLAs the right hon. Gentleman has stated that the information was. only received from the Colonies on the 10th May, at which date sheep-dips were already afloat on their way to Australia, will he communicate with the Government of Australia and ask them not to prohibit the import of these cargoes?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYThe attention of the Commonwealth Government has been called to the matter already.