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INDUSTRY AND TRADE
granted to producers of artificial flowers and watch bands. In the case of the former, the Tariff Board found that Hong Kong imports had created a demand which otherwise would not have existed, and in consequence the rate of duty was reduced from 45% to 71% ad valorem.
A difficulty of another sort arose at the end of February when, as a result of the issue of copyright on a wide range of plastic flower designs to the local subsidiary of a firm in the United States, shipments of artificial flowers to the United States were held up by the US Customs. The difficulties were eventually resolved on a procedural basis and the flow of shipments to that market had largely resumed its normal course by April.
The Colony was represented at the Fourth Session of the Com- mittee on Trade of the Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East at Bangkok in January 1961. It was also represented at the full Commission meeting at New Delhi in March.
Trade Promotion. The Trade and Industry Advisory Board, the members of which are representative of the Colony's various industrial and commercial interests, advises the Director of Com- merce and Industry on matters concerning trade. With the advice of the Board, Government pursued an active policy of trade promo- tion throughout 1961. A major part of the yearly programme was directed towards Australia, as prospects for expanding trade with that country were encouraging in view of her relaxation of import licensing controls in 1960 and the growing importance she attaches to increasing her trade with Asian countries.
Government sponsored a trade mission of four members, led by the Hon J. D. Clague, CBE, MC, TD, a member of Executive Council, which visited Australia during July. The mission's main aims were to explore the possibilities of expanding two-way trade between Australia and the Colony, and to emphasize the important assistance which Hong Kong could render Australia's economy not only as a source of inexpensive goods and components for her industry, but also as a capital market and a distribution point for Australia's exports to Asia. The mission held extensive discussions in every major city of Australia with both Government officials and representatives of commerce and industry, and reported that, while protectionist sentiment was strong in Australia's secondary industries, there was a growing awareness of the need to accept