Retaliation!

New Caledonia Keeps Out Aus

tralian Rice, but Admits Java’s

Product To the Editor.

Sir, —I have read with interest your articles, dealing with the action of the French authorities in shutting Aus tralian-grown rice out of the New Caledonia market.

The statements made by the two Australian Ministers mentioned, to the effect that there was no evidence to show that the impost on Australian rice was a retaliatory measure, shows their complete ignorance of the facts on the matter.

Why was Australia singled out?

Why was not Java rice—also of for eign origin—placed on the same foot ing as the Australian product? Most of the rice imported into New Cale donia comes from Java, yet pays a nominal duty of 20 frs. per ton. More over, the Java product cannot be com pared to the Australian rice, as re gards quality.

The policy of the French Govern ment is surely one of retaliation against a tariff which has caused considerable harm to the export trade of France and her colonies. If the Australian Minister for Markets had read the caustic comments of the local press on the subject some time ago, I ven ture to say he would have been con vinced.

While on the subject it might also be pointed out that attempts are now be ing made —also backed by the press— to import flour from France in barrels.

There is little hope of the flour sug gestion being successful, otherwise Australia would lose quite a tidy item in exports, as a special duty on Aus tralian flour would surely follow.

Little doubt exists in the mind of those who have had the opportunity of keeping in touch with local affairs that New Caledonia is now following a policy of retaliation. —I am, etc.,

C. Wilbeord.

Paagoumene,

New Caledonia,

12.12.31.

EDITORIAL NOTE : It may be that the new Federal Government in Australia can be in duced to give a little thought to Australia’s trade in the Pacific. The shutting out of Australian flour from the New Caledonia mar ket would be a very serious development: yet no one who has traced the reaction of Aus tralian Labour politics into Australia’s tariff policy can blame the French for their vigorous retaliation against Australia. It really looks, sometimes, as if the Commonwealth must bring itself to ruin before it will recognise its fundamental errors of national economics.

—Ed. P.I.M.