Australia and her Tariffs A severe blow, however, has just
been inflicted upon British trade by the Australian Labour Government's first excursion on the already high hills of its country's tariff. It, is not much consolation to know that the new tariff signifies an increase of rates rather than the imposition of new duties or that the additional duties to the tune of about 10 per cent. ad valorem will be proportionately increased against foreign goods so as to make the import of foreign iron and steel, for instance, well-nigh prohibitive, and also to maintain the British preference in respect of luxury goods (motors, silks, &c.). British manufacturers of hosiery and apparel are the hardest hit. Since this policy has meant a large can- cellation of orders, it is not surprising that the Australian and New _Zealand Section of the London Chamber of Commerce has made representations for a suspensory provision in the case of contracts made previous to November 22nd. * *
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