b. v
pe' &.0 again for di Carta's information.
Matv
16/4
David Sellars has received a
copy of (o)
Prom
Comms Dept.
16/4/69.
Mr. Stewart
Now that we have Hong Kong's reply to (1) certain facts become clearer. Hong Kong are as baffled as I am by Canberra's reference to an "agreed limit" of 1.5 million square yards; also the reply confirms the narrower definition of cotton textiles mentioned in paragraph 3 of my minute above.
2.
Hong Kong have expressed the hope that the Australian memorandum contains "a detailed factual statement of the reasons and justification for the present request (for consultations), as prescribed in Article 3 of the GATT Cotton Textiles Arrangement, including evidence of damage or an actual threat thereof to Australian producers resulting from imports from Hong Kong, such evidence being supported by the latest available statistics of Australian production, exports and imports (with details of principal suppliers) to supplement the statistics used in May, 1968." They then request sufficient time to study these details before consultations open.
3.
As there appears to be some latent difference of opinion over the spirit, if not the letter, of the May, 1968, Agreement, we should perhaps establish an interest? I have therefore drafted a telegram to Canberra, below, requesting a copy of the memorandum and future supporting documents; if we copy this to Hong Kong they will be aware of our presence.
4.
Telegram to issue?
16 April, 1969
1.P. Muray...
(I. R. Murray)
Hong Kong Department
li tuwoner
amanded
Ré
17/4/19
жие
ад
Mar 17/4