French Copra Tax

Action In Australia.

THE depressing effect which the new French tax on copra is having on coconut planting industry in the South Seas was considered at a meet ing of the Island Trade Section of the Sydney Chamber of Commerce held in October. Mr. W. R. Carpenter, chair man, presided, and there was a fair attendance.

Mr. Pelletier, in the course of a dis cussion, said that he thought it would be very difficult to persuade the French Government to alter its decision—but he thought that if Australia could suggest mutual tariff concessions, something might be done.

The chairman pointed out that while there was an Australian tariff against French goods there was no such diffi culty in the case of the Mandated Ter ritory of New Guinea, and certain other territories. Where those terri tories imposed tariffs the duties were imposed for revenue purposes and quite irrespective of the country of origin. France received in New Guinea, for instance, the same treat ment as Britain or any other country.

It was decided to bring the whole matter before the Australian Minister for Commerce (Mr. Stewart), and a sub-committee was appointed to pre pare a detailed statement of the posi tion for presentation to the Minister.