Sir F. HALLasked the Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (1) whether the importation of British chocolate and sugar confectionery into Australia is still prohibited; whether the. embargo recently placed on such imports was intended as a war measure only; whether the Government has been in communication with the Commonwealth Government on the subject; if so, what reply has been received; and on what grounds does the Commonwealth Government justify the continued prohibition of such imports;
(2) whether he is aware that a Proclamation, dated the 1st November, 1919, has been issued by the Australian Government 260W prohibiting the importation of potable cocoa and chocolate except by licence; if so, whether he can give the terms upon which British manufacturers may import such goods into Australia; whether he is aware that the effect of this Order is very prejudicial to British manufacturers; and what steps the Government are taking in the matter, seeing that a policy of Im-peril preference has been agreed to?
§ Lieut.-Colonel AMERYThe importation of confectionery into Australia except under licence was prohibited by a Proclamation of the 10th August, 1917. Representations on the subject were made this summer to the Commonwealth Government, who replied that it was proposed to lift the embargo when the new tariff was introduced into Parliament. I understand that it is proposed to introduce the Tariff Resolution early in the first Session of the new Commonwealth Parliament. The importation of potable cocoa and chocolate was prohibited by a Proclamation of the 1st November, 1919, and I am not yet aware of the conditions on which the Commonwealth Government are prepared to issue import licences. Further representations are being made with a view to favourable treatment being given to goods of Empire origin in the administration of the Commonwealth import prohibitions.