Australian Rice.
p. 20 · Read in the full issue
And the New Caledonia Market.
A REMARKABLE answer to a ques tion about the market in the Pacific for Australian rice was given in the Federal House of Representatives on April 27.
Mr. James asked the Minister for Trade and Customs if “he was aware that it is the intention of the Govern ment of New Caledonia to impose on Australian-grown rice duty at the rate of 50 francs per 100 kilos, which, at the present rate of exchange, is ap proximately £7/16/3 per ton in Aus tralian currency? Up to the present the rate of duty on rice imported into
New Caledonia, irrespective of the country of production, has been 6/3 per ton.
“In view of the contemplated action of New Caledonia,” proceeded Mr.
James, “I ask the Minister whether the time is not opportune for preference to be extended to Australian-grown rice so far as the Mandated Territory of New Guinea is concerned. I understand that the present rate of duty on rice imported into the Territory is £1 a ton.
Will the Government give considera tion to the question of extending pre ference to Australian-grown rice which is available for export to that or any other country?”
The Minister (Mr. Gullett) replied: I am not aware of the position referred to, but I shall be pleased to give con sideration to his request. I doubt, how ever, if the duty said to have been im posed against Australian rice in New Caledonia is any higher than our own duty upon rice imported into Australia.
The Minister disclosed complete ig norance of the position in regard to New Caledonia, which was stated in this journal some months ago. The exchange position allowed Australian low-grade rice to be sold, as against the Javanese product, in New Cale donia, where large quantities are re quired for feeding Tonkinese and Javanese labourers. The French ad ministration at once took steps to im pose a tariff to keep out Australian rice, on the ground that Australia main tains a high tariff against practically all French products.
So far as finding a market for Aus tralian rice in Papua and New Guinea is concerned, the position is worth in quiry. The difficulty seems to be that Australia produces mostly first-grade rice, while the Territories’ requirements are confined largely to the very cheap, low-grade article.