RESTRICTED
2
CED A SIMILAR RESERVATION IS MADE IN RESPECT OF CERTAIN LISTED ITEMS
FALLING WITHIN CHAPTERS 25-99 OF THE 8.7.N. AND IT IS ARGUED THAT
BASIC INDUST.IAL MATERIALS, E.G. UNIROUGHT ZINC, SHOULD BE EXCLUDED
AS BEING ESSENTIALLY PRIMARY PRODUCTS.
(F) PREFERENTIAL MARGINS ON ITEMS NOT SPECIFICALLY LISTED IN THEIR
REPLY ARE NOT AT THIS STAGE EXERCISED BUT NOT WAIVED, AND THE
POSITION WILL BE REVIEWED IN THE LIGHT OF OUR RESPONSE ON OTHER
ITEMS.
IN PARTICULAR, IF THE
3. AS A GENERAL POINT THE AUSTRALIANS ARGUE THAT THE PROPOSED OFFERS
~~ SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE THE BENEFITS TO AUSTRALIA UNDER EXISTING BI-
LATERAL TRADING ARRANGEMENTS AND THAT OUR RESPONSE WILL DETERMINE
WHETHER IT MAY PROVE NECESSARY FOR AUSTRALIA TO REVIEW THE BALANCE
OF ADVANTAGE UNDER THESE ARRANGEMENTS,
AUSTRALIAN RIGHT TO PRIOR CONSULTATIONS ON A NUMBER OF ITEMS INVOLVED
IS MEANINGFUL, DETAILED CONSULTATIONS WILL BE NECESSARY AT THE
EARLIEST OPPORTUNITY, A SPECIFIC POINT IS MADE IN RESPECT OF CONSUL-
TATIONS ABOUT THE EFFECT ON PAPUA AND NEW GUINEA. THE QUESTION OF
SAFEGUARDS MERITS MUCH MORE CONSIDERATION AND IN THE ABSENCE OF SUIT-
ABLE SAFEGUARDS IT IS SUGGESTED THET THE PROPOSED TARIFF CUTS MIGHT
BE ADJUSTED SO THAT THE PREFERENTIAL RATE FOR DEVELOPING CONTRIES
WILL BE NO LOWER THAN THE BRITISH PREFERENTIAL TARIFF.
4.
A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL ITEMS IS UNDER CONSIDERATION
FOR AUSTRALIAN OFFERS OF TARIFF PREFERENCES AND OPPORTUNITY FOR
CONSULTATION PRIOR TO A DECISION WILL BE PROVIDED IN RESPECT OF THEST
SIR C. JOHNSTON
INTERNATIONAL TRADE DISTRIBUTION
TRADE POL. DEPT.
N.A. & C.D.
S.W.P.D.
SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEPT.
E.I.D.
RESTRICTED