0003230
G.F. 323
CONFIDENTIAL
MEMORANDUM
Encisoure
Representatives of both Governments have examined the recent and current trends in imports into Australia from Hong Kong of cotton textile fabrics of the constructions which were the subject of the Australian request for consultations under Article 3 of the Cotton Textiles Arrangement (notified to the Contracting Parties in COT/97 of 8th April, 1968). has been agreed by both parties that no restraint should at present be applied by the Government of Hong Kong to exports from Hong Kong to Australia of cotton drills, denins, dungarees and jeans (falling within paragraph 55.09.49 in the First Schedule to the Australian Customs Tariff).
Noting the concern of the Australian Government that there was, however, a threat of a sharp and substantial increase of inports of such fabrics from Hong Kong to the serious detriment of Australian weavers, the representatives of the Governments of Australia and Hong Kong agreed that
(a)
(b)
both Governments would henceforth keep the trade under close surveillance;
if there was cvidence to indicate that the volume of such imports was increasing and that the major Australian users inten led to continue a policy of using such fabrics imported from Hong Kong at an increasing level to the detriment of Australian producers, both Governments would be ready to consult urgently under the terms of Article 3 of the G.A.T.T. Cotton Textiles Arrangement.
It was further agreed that both Governments would make the terms of this memorandum known to their respective industries but would not issue any public statement; and that a joint notification (copy attached) should be sent to the G.A.T.T. Secretariat, for the information of the Cotton Textiles Committee.
Initialled at Hong Kong,
3 May 1968
W. Callaghan,
Deputy Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry.
D. H. Jordan,
Deputy Director, Commerce and Industry Department.
CONFIDENTIA