§ 18. Mr. HAMMERSLEYasked the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs whether he is aware that abnormal Japanese competition is injuring the Australian market as far as exports from Great Britain are concerned; and if he intends to consult with the Commonwealth of Australia with a view to effective action to check this?
Mr. J. H. THOMASI am aware that the exports from this country to Australia are subject to increasing competition from certain Japanese products, and the general question of Japanese competition is engaging the attention of the Government. As regards the second part of the question, I am afraid that I cannot add anything to the reply which I gave to my hon. Friend on the 28th March.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYIn view of the abnormal increase of these Japanese imports into Australia, would my right hon. Friend consider inviting the opinion of the Commonwealth of Australia as to the best way of dealing with this menace of the products of very low-priced labour?
Mr. THOMASThe question of the importation of Japanese goods and of cheap labour is not alone applicable to Australia. It applies to many other parts of the world, but, as I have said, it is receiving our attention.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYWould not the opinion of His Majesty's Government be strengthened if they got the advice and 914 the opinion of the Commonwealth of Australia in connection with it?
Mr. THOMASWe will welcome the opinion of the Australian Commonwealth on this and other matters, no doubt, in the next few weeks.
§ Mr. LEVYIs my right hon. Friend aware that the price at which these Japanese goods are imported into Australia is far less than the cost?
§ Mr. REMERCan my right hon. Friend say when the intentions of the British Government will be turned into action?
22. Mr. CHORITONasked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the help afforded to manufacturers in this country by the notice of withdrawal of the West African Colonies from the Anglo-Japanese Treaty, he will state in respect of which Colony or Colonies notice will next be given?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of TRADE (Mr. Runciman)Notice of withdrawal of the British territories of West Africa from the Anglo-Japanese Treaty was given in view of the fact that Imperial preference could not be introduced throughout these territories owing to certain international obligations. It is not intended to take similar action at present in respect of other colonies.
Mr. CHORITONDoes my right hon. Friend consider that that action is sufficient to deal with competition of the variety and extent of this Japanese competition?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANSo far as West Africa is concerned, that is the utmost that can be done, to withdraw West Africa from the Anglo-Japanese Treaty.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman make it plain that this is only an initial step, and that unless some more satisfactory arrangement is come to in respect to these markets, further steps will have to be taken?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo. At the present time it is unnecessary to add to the statement that I have already made.
23. Mr. CHORITONasked the President of the Board of Trade if his invita- 915 tion to the Japanese Government for a trade conference for the allocation of quantities has been accepted and, if so, with any conditions?
§ 24. Mr. HAMMERSLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he can report any progress in his negotiations with the Japanese Government relative to abnormal Japanese competition?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have not yet received a reply from the Japanese Government.
§ Mr. HAMMERSLEYDoes the right hon. Gentleman propose to leave this matter open indefinitely, or will he consider the intimation of some kind of a time-limit within which this matter can be dealt with?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI was asked whether I could report any progress in the negotiations, and my reply was that I had not yet received a reply from the Japanese Government.
§ Mr. REMERHas the right hon. Gentleman any information as to when he is likely to receive that reply?