United Kingdom and Australia Trade Agreement Act 1932 (Cth)

UNITED KINGDOM AND AUSTRALIA TRADE AGREEMENT.

No. 57 of 1932.

An Act to approve the provisions of an agreement made between His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom and His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia and arising out of the Conference of Representatives of the Governments of the British Dominions held at Ottawa in July and August One thousand nine hundred and thirty-two.

[Assented to 2nd December, 1932.]

BE it enacted by the King’s Most Excellent Majesty, the Senate, and the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Australia, as follows:—

Short title.

1.—(1.) This Act may be cited as the United Kingdom and Australia Trade Agreement Act 1932.

Approval of provisions of trade Agreement.

2. The provisions of the Agreement entered into between His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom and His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia and arising out of the Conference of representatives of the Governments of the British Dominions held at Ottawa in July and August One thousand nine hundred and thirty-two (a copy of which provisions is set out in the Schedule to this Act) are hereby approved.

 

THE SCHEDULE.

Article 1.

His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom undertake that Orders shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 4 of the Import Duties Act, 1932, which will ensure the continuance after the 15th November, 1932, of entry free of duty into the United Kingdom of Australian goods which comply with the laws and statutory regulations for the time being in force affecting the grant of Imperial preference and which by virtue of that Act are now free of duty, subject, however, to the reservations set forth in Schedule A appended hereto.

Article 2.

His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom will invite Parliament to pass the legislation necessary to impose on the foreign goods specified in Schedule B appended hereto, the duties of customs shown in that Schedule in place of the duties (if any) now leviable.

The Schedule—continued.

Article 3.

His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom will invite Parliament to pass the legislation necessary to secure to Australian goods of the kinds specified in Schedule C appended hereto which comply with the law and statutory regulations for the time being in force affecting the grant of Imperial preference, the margins of preference specified therein over similar foreign goods.

Article 4.

His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom undertake that the general ad valorem duty of ten per cent. imposed by Section 1 of the Import Duties Act 1932, on the foreign goods specified in Schedule D shall not be reduced except with the consent of His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia.

Article 5.

The duties provided in this Agreement on foreign wheat in grain, copper, lead and zinc on importation into the United Kingdom are conditional in each case on Empire producers of wheat in grain, copper, lead and zinc respectively continuing to offer those commodities on first sale in the United Kingdom at prices not exceeding the world price.

Article 6.

His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom and His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia agree that arrangements shall be made for the regulation of imports of frozen mutton and lamb and frozen and chilled beef into the United Kingdom in accordance with the declaration by His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom which is appended as Schedule H.

Article 7.

His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom will invite the Governments of the non-self-governing Colonies and Protectorates to accord to Australia any preference which may for the time being be accorded to any other part of the British Empire, provided that this Article shall not extend to any preferences accorded by Northern Rhodesia to the Union of South Africa, Southern Rhodesia and the Territories of the South African High Commission by virtue of the Customs Agreement of 1930, and further will invite the Governments of the Colonies and Protectorates shown in Schedule E to accord to Australia new or additional preferences on the commodities and at the rates shown therein.

Article 8.

His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia will invite Parliament to pass the legislation making the tariff changes necessary to give effect to the preference formula set forth in Part I. of Schedule F appended hereto, subject to the exceptions indicated in Part II. of that Schedule, and further undertake that existing preferential margins which exceed those laid down in this formula shall be maintained subject, however, to the right of His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia to reduce the existing margins of preference in the case of goods of the kinds specified in Part III. of that Schedule to an extent not exceeding the amounts shown therein.

Article 9.

His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia undertake that protection by tariffs shall be afforded only to those industries which are reasonably assured of sound opportunities for success.

Article 10.

His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia undertake that during the currency of this Agreement the tariff shall be based on the principle that protective duties shall not exceed such a level as will give United Kingdom producers full opportunity of reasonable competition on the basis of the relative cost of economical and efficient production, provided that in the application of such principle special consideration may be given to the case of industries not fully established.

The Schedule—continued.

Article 11.

His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia undertake that a review shall be made as soon as practicable by the Australian Tariff Board of existing protective duties in accordance with the principles laid down in Article 10 hereof, and that after the receipt of the report and recommendation of the Tariff Board the Commonwealth Parliament shall be invited to vary, wherever necessary, the tariff on goods of United Kingdom origin in such manner as to give effect to such principles.

Article 12.

His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia undertake that no new protective duty shall be imposed and no existing duty shall be increased on United Kingdom goods to an amount in excess of the recommendation of the Tariff Tribunal.

Article 13.

His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia undertake that United Kingdom producers shall be entitled to full rights of audience before the Tariff Board when it has under consideration matters arising under Articles 11 and 12 hereof.

Article 14.

His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia undertake in so far as concerns goods the produce or manufacture of the United Kingdom:

(a) to repeal as soon as practicable the Proclamation published in Commonwealth Gazette No. 46 of 19th May, 1932, prohibiting the importation of certain goods;

(b)to remove as soon as practicable the surcharges imposed by resolution introduced into the Parliament of Australia on the 24th May, 1932; and

(c) to reduce or remove primage duty as soon as the finances of Australia will allow.

Article 15.

His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia undertake to accord to the non-self-governing Colonies and Protectorates and the Mandated Territories of Tanganyika, the Cameroons under British Mandate and Togoland under British Mandate, preferences on the commodities and at the rates shown in Schedule G and also any preferences for the time being accorded to the United Kingdom if His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom so request.

Provided that His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia shall not be bound to accord any preferences to any Colony or Protectorate which, not being precluded by international obligations from according preferences, either (i) accords to Australia no preferences or (ii) accords to some other part of the Empire (in the case of Northern Rhodesia, excepting the Union of South Africa, Southern Rhodesia, and the territories of the South African High Commission) preferences not accorded to Australia.

Article 16.

This Agreement between His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom and His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia is to be regarded as coming into effect as from the date hereof* (subject to the necessary legislative or other action being taken as soon as may be practicable hereafter). It shall remain in force for a period of five years, and if not denounced six months before the end of that period shall continue in force thereafter until a date six months after notice of denunciation has been given by either party.

In the event of circumstances arising which, in the judgment of His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom or of His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia as the case may be, necessitate a variation in the terms of the Agreement, the proposal to vary those terms shall form the subject of consultation between the two Governments.

* 20th August, 1932.

The Schedule—continued.

SCHEDULE A.

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.

As regards Eggs, Poultry, Butter, Cheese and other Milk products, free entry for produce of Australia will be continued for three years certain. His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom, however, reserve to themselves the right after the expiration of the three years, if they consider it necessary in the interests of the United Kingdom producer to do so, to review the basis of preference, so far as relates to the articles enumerated, and, after notifying His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia either to impose a preferential duty on produce of Australia whilst maintaining existing preferential margins, or in consultation with the Commonwealth Government to bring such produce within any system which may be put into operation for the quantitative regulation of supplies from all sources in the United Kingdom market.

 

SCHEDULE B.

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.

Wheat in grain................................................................	2s. per quarter.
Butter..............................................................................	15s. per cwt.
Cheese............................................................................	15% ad valorem.
Apples, raw (excluding apples consigned direct to a registered cider manufacturer for use in making cider)......................	4s. 6d. per cwt.
Pears, raw.......................................................................	4s. 6d. per cwt.
Apples, canned...............................................................	3s. 6d. per cwt. in addition to the duty in respect of sugar content.
Other canned fruits.........................................................	15% ad valorem in addition to the duty in respect of sugar content.
Dried fruits, now dutiable at 7s......................................	10s. 6d. per cwt.
Eggs in shell—
(a) Not exceeding 14 lb. in weight per great hundred.....	1s. per great hundred.
(b) Over 14 lb. but not exceeding 17 lb......................	1s. 6d. per great hundred.
(c) Over 17 lb..............................................................	1s. 9d. per great hundred.
Condensed milk, whole, sweetened...............................	5s. per cwt. in addition to the duty in respect of sugar content.
Condensed milk, whole, not sweetened.........................	6s. per cwt.
Milk powder and other preserved milk, not sweetened.	6s. per cwt.
Honey.............................................................................	7s. per cwt.
Copper, unwrought, whether refined or not, in ingots, bars, blocks, slabs, cakes and rods.................................................	2d. per lb.
Oranges, raw..................................................................	3s. 6d. per cwt. from 1st April to 30th November.
Grape Fruit, raw.............................................................	5s. per cwt. from 1st April to 30th November.
Grapes (other than hot house)........................................	per lb. from 1st February to 30th June.

 

SCHEDULE C.

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.

Margin of Preference.
Wine not exceeding 27 degrees of proof spirit..........................	2s. per gallon.

The Schedule—continued.

SCHEDULE D.

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.

Leather.

Tallow.

Canned Meat.

Zinc.

Lead.

Barley.

Wheat Flour.

Macaroni.

Dried Peas.

Dressed Poultry.

Casein.

Eucalyptus Oil.

Meat Extracts and Essences.

Copra.

Sugar of Milk.

Sausage Casings.

Wattle Bark.

Asbestos.

Dried Fruits, other than Currants, not specified in Schedule B.

 

SCHEDULE E.

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.

(1) The Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Guiana, British Honduras, Jamaica, the Leeward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, the Windward Islands.
Butter.............................................................................................	1d. per pound.
(2) The Bahamas.
Brandy............................................................................................	A specific preference equal to the specific preference for the time being accorded to whisky produced within the Empire.
Wine...............................................................................................	15% ad valorem.
(3) Barbados, British Guiana, Trinidad.
Brandy—
Not exceeding the strength of proof........................................	5s per gallon.
Exceeding the strength of proof..............................................	5s. per proof gallon.
(4) Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad.
Condensed and powdered milk......................................................	10% ad valorem (or the equivalent specific rate).
(5) Bermuda.
Canned meat..................................................................................	15% ad valorem.
Canned fruit and canned vegetables..............................................	15% ad valorem.
(6) British Guiana and Trinidad.
Wines—
Sparkling.................................................................................	5s. per gallon.
Other, in bottle.........................................................................	2s. per gallon.
Other, in wood.........................................................................	1s. 6d. per gallon.
(7) Jamaica.
Biscuits, unsweetened—
In bulk......................................................................................	2s. 1d. per 100 pounds.
Otherwise packed....................................................................	1d. per pound.
Canned meat..................................................................................	15% ad valorem.
Fruit, dried.....................................................................................	15% ad valorem.
Jams, Jellies and preserved fruit....................................................	15% ad valorem.

The Schedule—continued.

Schedule E.—continued.

(8) Ceylon.
Bacon and ham....................................................................................	10% ad valorem.
Biscuits................................................................................................	10% ad valorem.
Brandy..................................................................................................	Rs. 3.50 per gallon.
Canned fruit and canned vegetables....................................................	15% ad valorem.
Cheese..................................................................................................	10% ad valorem.
Fruit, fresh............................................................................................	10% ad valorem.
Milk, condensed and powdered...........................................................	10% ad valorem.
Wines—
Sparkling.......................................................................................	Rs. 1.50 per gallon.
Other..............................................................................................	Rs. 1 per gallon
(9) Cyprus.
Butter, cheese and timber.....................................................................	One-third of the duty in lieu of one-sixth.
(10) The Federated and Unfederated Malay States.
Commodity.	Margin of Preference. (In the case of articles at present free of duty, so soon as it is possible to institute duties thereon.)
Brandy..................................................................................................	$2.50 per gallon or proof gallon (according as the duty is assessed per gallon or proof gallon).
Butter, frozen and tinned.....................................................................	4 cents per pound.
Canned fruit and canned vegetables....................................................	15% ad valorem.
Confectionery......................................................................................	10% ad valorem.
Milk, condensed and powdered...........................................................	10% ad valorem.
Wines—
Sparkling.......................................................................................	$1 per gallon.
Other..............................................................................................	60 cents per gallon.
(11) Hong Kong.
Brandy..................................................................................................	A margin of preference to be determined later.
(12) Malta.
Biscuits................................................................................................	10% ad valorem.
Brandy..................................................................................................	1s. per litre.
Flour.....................................................................................................	2s. per 100 kilograms.
Milk, condensed and powdered...........................................................	10% ad valorem.
(13) Mauritius.
Bacon and ham....................................................................................	5 rupees per 100 kilograms.
Cheese..................................................................................................	10% ad valorem.
(14) Straits Settlements.
Brandy..................................................................................................	$2.50 per gallon, or proof gallon (according as the duty is assessed per gallon or proof gallon).
Wines—
Sparkling.......................................................................................	$1 per gallon.
Other..............................................................................................	60 cents per gallon.

 

SCHEDULE F.

COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA.

Part I.

Subject to the exceptions enumerated in Part II., goods produced or manufactured in the United Kingdom and imported into the Commonwealth of Australia shall, on compliance with the regulations for the time being in force governing the entry of goods at preferential rates of duty, enjoy preferences in accordance with the following formula:—

(a) When goods the produce or manufacture of the United Kingdom are free of duty, or are liable to duties of customs not exceeding nineteen per cent. ad valorem, the difference between the British Preferential Tariff rate and the rate upon similar goods from the most favoured foreign country shall be at least fifteen per cent. ad valorem.

The Schedule—continued.

Schedule F.—continued.

Part I.—continued.

(b) When goods the produce or manufacture of the United Kingdom are liable to duties of customs exceeding nineteen per cent. ad valorem, and not exceeding twenty-nine per cent. ad valorem, the difference between the British Preferential Tariff rate and the rate upon similar goods from the most favoured foreign country shall be at least seventeen and one half per cent. ad valorem.

(c) When goods the produce or manufacture of the United Kingdom are liable to duties of customs exceeding twenty-nine per cent. ad valorem, the difference between the British Preferential Tariff rate and the rate upon similar goods from the most favoured foreign country shall be at least twenty per cent. ad valorem, provided that in no case shall this margin be applied so as to result in a rate of duty exceeding seventy-five per cent. ad valorem.

Part II.

1. The formula prescribed in Part I. shall not apply in the case of goods of a class or kind not commercially produced or manufactured in the United Kingdom.

2. The formula prescribed in Part I. shall not apply in the case of particular goods in respect of which it may be agreed that its application is unnecessary.

3. The formula prescribed in Part I. shall not apply in the case of the following goods, it being understood that the existing preference shall be maintained except where otherwise indicated in the last column of the list.

Tariff Item.	Goods.	Minimum margin of preference to be accorded.
Ex. 105 (e) (1)	Velvets, Velveteens, Plushes, Sealette and cloths imitating furs, Astrachans, Italians containing wool
105 (k).....	Piece goods of a class or kind not produced in Australia which would otherwise be dutiable at a higher rate than that payable under this sub-item imported for use in the manufacture of neckties as proscribed by Departmental By-laws—
(1) Silk or in chief part by weight silk; wool or in chief part by weight wool and admixtures of wool and silk
(2) Other
109...........	Artificial Flowers, Fruits, Plants, Leaves, and Grains, of all kinds and materials
123 (b).....	Waste, Engine cleaning
123 (c).....	Waste, Axle
136 (g).....	High Grade Carbon Steels and Alloy Steels containing manganese, silicon, nickel, chromium, tungsten, titanium, vanadium, molybdenum, cobalt or other alloying elements, introduced to impart special qualities to the steel, viz.:—ingots, billets, bars, die and tool blocks and blanks, also tapered or bevelled bars and other special shapes, as prescribed by Departmental By-laws
162 (a).....	Iron and Steel Tubes or Pipes (except riveted, cast, close-jointed or cycle tubes or pipes, and welded conduit pipes and tubes) not more than 3 inches internal diameter; Iron and Steel Boiler Tubes	Twelve and one half per cent. ad valorem when admitted free of duty from the United Kingdom

The Schedule—continued.

Schedule F.—continued.

Part II.—continued.

Tariff Item.	Goods.	Minimum margin of preference to be accorded.
Ex. 169 (a)...	Linotype, Monotype, and other Type-composing Machines, except Monoline; Typewriters (including covers); Machinery used exclusively for and in the actual process of Electrotyping and Stereotyping; Aluminium Rotary Graining Machines; Adding and Computing Machines and all attachments	Twenty per cent. ad valorem
Ex. 169 (c)....	Printing Machines and Presses, n.e.i. including the following machines and presses, viz.:—Newspaper printing machines known as “Duplex Tubular” printing from cylindrical stereo plates as distinct from semi-cylindrical stereo plates; combined Tagmaking and Printing Machines; Proof Presses using rolled paper; Roll Fed Combined Wrapper Printing and Addressing Machines; Combined Printing and Carton Cutting Machines	Twenty per cent. ad valorem
177 (b) (2)	Traction Engines, as prescribed by Departmental By-laws	Twelve and one half per cent. advalorem (This preference is granted only in respect of types which are competitive with those manufactured in foreign countries.)
242................	Glass, viz.:—
(c) Polished and Patent Plate not exceeding 25 square feet
(d) Polished and Patent Plate, n.e.i.
285................	Medicines:—
(a) Pharmaceutical Preparations; Patent and Proprietary Medicines and Drugs, and other Medicinal Preparations; Medicinal Extracts; Essences; Juices; Infusions; Solutions; Emulsions; Confections; Syrups; Pills; Pilules; Tabloids; Soloids; Ovoids; Tablets; Capsules; Cachets; Suppositories; Pessaries n.e.i.; Poultices; Salves; Cerates; Ointments; Liniments; Lotions; Pastes and the like; Medicinal Waters and Compounded Medicinal Oils; Medicines for Animals
334 (h)..........	True Vegetable Parchment—in sizes not less than 8 x 38 inches (or its equivalent)
334 (v)..........	Cards, playing, in sheet or cut..........................	Three shillings per dozen packs
380 (b)..........	Vacuum Cleaners for use in the household.......	Twenty per cent. ad valorem
397 (e)..........	Explosives, n.e.i.

The Schedule—continued.

Schedule F.—continued.

Part III.

Tariff Item.	Goods.	Maximum Amount of Reduction in Preference.
105 (d) (2)....	Piece Goods, viz.:—Silk, or containing silk or having silk worked thereon, except piece goods enumerated in clauses (b) and (c) of paragraph (1) of sub-item (a), in paragraph (1) of sub-item (d), and in sub-items (aa) and (f)	Two and one half per cent. ad valorem
105 (e)..........	Piece Goods, viz.:—Lace for Attire; Lace Flouncings; Millinery and Kress Nets; Veilings; Embroideries in the piece: Tucked Linens or Cottons	Five per cent. ad valorem
106 (b)..........	Trimmings and Ornaments, n.e.i. for Hats Shoes and other attire, not being partly or wholly of gold or silver; Braids n.e.i.; Fringes n.e.i.; Frillings; Rufflings; Pleatings; Ruchings; Galloons n.e.i.; Ribbons n.e.i.; Tinselled Belting n.e.i.; Webbings n.e.i.; Belting for apparel not elsewhere specified and not being cut to lengths for belts	Five per cent. ad valorem
107 (b)..........	Ribbons and Galloons having not more than 48 ribs to the lineal inch and being not more than three and a half inches in width	Five per cent. ad valorem
113 (b)..........	Gloves (except of rubber), viz.:—N.E.I. including mittens	Five per cent. ad valorem
197 (b)..........	Cutlery, Spoons, and Forks, n.e.i., and Knife Sharpeners	Five per cent. ad valorem
206 (b)..........	Lamps of glass or chiefly of glass or with glass fonts; Glass parts of lamps or lanterns other than chimneys	Five per cent. ad valorem
250 (b)..........	Bottles, Decanters, Flasks and Jars, over 8 drams fluid capacity, of cut glass, empty or containing goods not subject to ad valorem duty	Five per cent. ad valorem
250 (c)..........	Glassware, n.e.i.......................................................	Five per cent. ad valorem
250 (f)..........	Glassware, other than out glass and heat resisting glassware for cooking purposes, viz.:—Dishes, tumblers, salads, bowls, nappies, jugs, candlesticks, butters, battery jars or cells, vases, trays, comports, flower-blocks, mugs, sundaes	Five per cent. ad valorem
309 (b)..........	Fancy goods, viz.:—Card Cases, Hatpins, Matchboxes, Serviette Rings and Clips, Sovereign Purses, n.e.i., Button Hooks, Glove stretchers, Shoe Horns and Lifts, Thimbles, Ivory and other ornamental figures, Feather Dusters; Drilled Beads strung with or without clasps and Drilled Beads unstrung, except those made of pearls cultured pearls precious stones or precious metals	Five per cent. ad valorem
309 (c)..........	Fancy Goods, viz.:—Articles for personal wear, not including articles partly or wholly of gold silver or other precious metal or imitations thereof or partly or wholly of pearls or precious stones or imitations thereof, viz.:—Brooches, Bangles, Necklets n.e.i., Studs, Sleeve Links and Tie Clips	Five per cent. ad valorem
309 (d)..........	Fancy Goods, n.e.i.................................................	Five per cent. ad valorem

 

The Schedule—continued.

SCHEDULE G.

commonwealth of australia.

Commodities.	Margin of Preference.
Asphalt. Bitumen and Natural Pitch....................................................	10% ad valorem.
Dry Gums, viz.—................................................................................	15% ad valorem.
Balata
Gum Arabic
Gum Copal
Gum Damar
Gutta Percha
Jelutong
Sticklac and seedlac
Essential Oils, viz.—...........................................................................	15% ad valorem.
Bay Leaf
Cinnamon
Cinnamon Leaf
Citronella
Clove
Geranium
Lemon-grass
Lime
Orange
Patchouli
Pimento
Bananas...............................................................................................	40,000 centals per annum from Fiji will be admitted in reasonably equal monthly quantities at 2s. 6d. per cental provided the goods are entered at the ports of Sydney and Melbourne.
Cocoa, raw...........................................................................................	per pound.
Fruit Juices..........................................................................................	3d. per gallon.
Fruits (preserved in liquid, or partly preserved, or pulped)—
(a) Quarter-pints and smaller sizes............................................	6d. per dozen.
(b) Half-pints and over quarter-pints.........................................	1s. per dozen.
(c) Pints and over half-pints.......................................................	2s. per dozen.
(d) Quarts and over pints...........................................................	4s. per dozen.
(e) Exceeding a quart.................................................................	1s. 3d. per gallon.
Cocoanuts, whole................................................................................	1s. per cwt.
Plumbago and Graphite.......................................................................	15% ad valorem.
Sago and Tapioca.................................................................................	15% ad valorem.
Spirits, viz.—
Bitters—
(1) When not exceeding the strength of proof	5s. per gallon.
(2) When exceeding the strength of proof.................................	5s. per proof gallon.
Rum—
(l) When not exceeding the strength of proof	5s. per gallon.
(2) When exceeding the strength of proof.................................	5s. per proof gallon.
Sponges...............................................................................................	15% ad valorem.
Timber, viz.—
Logs, not sawn, when not for use in the manufacture of plywood and veneers.............................................................................................	20% ad valorem.
Tobacco, unmanufactured, entered to be locally manufactured into cigars	6d. per pound.
Tobacco, manufactured........................................................................	1s. per pound.
Cigars	2s. per pound.

 

The Schedule—continued.

Schedule G.—continued.

Commodities.	Margin of Preference.
Unground Spices, viz.—......................................	15% ad valorem.
Arecanuts
Cardamoms
Chillies
Cinnamaon
Cloves
Ginger
Mace
Nutmegs
Pepper
Pimento
Vanilla

 

SCHEDULE H.

AUSTRALIA.

Declaration by United Kingdom Government.

1. The present wholesale prices of frozen meat are at a level which has resulted in grave depression in the live-stock industries of the United Kingdom and the Dominions. This depression is likely, if continued, to bring about a serious decline in production and consequent ultimate injury to the consumer.

2. Such a position is so serious that it is essential to take whatever steps may appear feasible to raise the wholesale prices of frozen meat in the United Kingdom market to such a level as will maintain efficient production.

3. With a view to the earliest possible improvement of the position, His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom will, during the currency of the Ottawa Agreement, arrange for the regulation of importations of meat into the United Kingdom, the regulation, in view of the close inter-relationship of all kinds of meat in determining the price level, to be applied to all the meats referred to in Section 5.

4. The policy of His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom in relation to meat production is, first, to secure development of home production, and, secondly, to give to the Dominions an expanding share of imports into the United Kingdom.

5. In order to co-operate with His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom in the carrying out of this policy, His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia agrees to limit the export of frozen mutton and lamb to the United Kingdom for the year 1933 to an amount equivalent to the total imports from Australia during the year ended 30th June, 1932, in consideration of the United Kingdom Government—

(a) arranging for the regulation of the importation of foreign meat in accordance with a programme (hereinafter referred to as the “agreed programme”) agreed between His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom and His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia and including within its scope Frozen Mutton and Lamb, Frozen Beef and Chilled Beef;

(b) arranging, as soon as possible after receiving the Report of the Commission now sitting on the re-organization of the Pig Industry in the United Kingdom, for the quantitative regulation of the supplies of bacon and hams coming on to the United Kingdom market;

(c) undertaking that no restriction will be placed upon the importation of any meat from Australia during the period named in the agreed programme referred to in Section 5 (a) of this Declaration.

6. During the year 1933 and in the light of the experience gained, His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom will consider, in consultation with His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia, the best means of ensuring an improved price situation and the more orderly marketing of supplies.

The Schedule—continued.

Schedule H—continued.

7. Should no permanent policy be agreed upon as the result of the consultation referred to above, His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom undertakes, after the expiry of the period named in the agreed programme referred to in Section 5 (a) of this Declaration and during the remainder of the period of the Agreement concluded at Ottawa—

(a) to arrange for the continuance, unless otherwise agreed between the Governments concerned, of the regulation of the imports of foreign meat at the rates in force at the end of the period named in the agreed programme”

(b) in any action affecting the imports of meat into the United Kingdom which the United Kingdom Government may take on behalf of United Kingdom agriculture, to have regard to the policy set out in Section 4 hereof.

8. Should it appear to His Majesty’s Government in the United Kingdom after inquiry, that, at any time in consequence of a restriction upon foreign imports, the supplies of meat of any kind are inadequate to meet the requirements of consumers in the United Kingdom, then His Majesty’s Government may remove any such restriction until supplies are again adequate.

 

The Agreed Programme referred to in Section 5(a) of the Declaration by the United Kingdom Government.

STATEMENT SHOWING THE MAXIMUM QUANTITIES OP FOREIGN MEAT TO BE ALLOWED TO BE IMPORTED INTO THE UNITED KINGDOM DURING EACH QUARTER OF THE PERIOD 1st JANUARY, 1933, TO 30th JUNE, 1934, EXPRESSED AS PERCENTAGES OF THE QUANTITIES IMPORTED IN THE CORRESPONDING QUARTERS OF THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 30th JUNE, 1932.

Meat.	1933.				1934.
	Jan.-Mar.	Apr.-Jne.	Jly.-Sept.	Oct.-Dec.	Jan.-Mar.	Apr.-June.
Frozen Mutton and Lamb.................	90	85	80	75	70	65
Frozen Beef (Car-cases and Boned Beef)	90	85	80	75	70	66
Chilled Beef..........	100	100	100	100	100	100

N.B.—His Majesty’s Government in the Commonwealth of Australia, recognizing the inter-relation of all meat products, and that the object of the above regulation of imports into the United Kingdom is to raise the price level of frozen meat, undertakes to use its best endeavours to ensure that during the year 1933, the exports of frozen beef from Australia to the United Kingdom shall not be increased to an extent exceeding 10 per cent. of the quantities exported for the year ending 30th June, 1932.