TNAG-0135-FCO40-171-Tariff-preferences-for-developing-countries-1969 — Page 158

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rights, principally Australia and South Africa who have already

made strong representations. The main reductions, however,

appear to cover animal and vegetable fats and sils which

appear to be of mere interest to Commonwealth ldo's than to

the 'old' Commonwealth who have raised many objections to the

inclusion of dried and canned fruit. It is true that

substantial concessions have been made to Australis on

preserved ments whereas canned peaches, which would constitute

a major concession to South Africa, have not been excluded.

One could perhaps suggest that we should look again at the

items on which the 'old' Commonwealth have a contractual

preference 19′′ether with a major trading interest, and that

these should be eliminated before we start looking at the

interests of Commonwealth ldo's who will doubtless make their

own representations in due course. 01le and fats were

originally included on the assumption that Commonwealth lde's

would obtain equivalent advantage elsewhere, and the fact that

this does not appear to be so constitutes the MAFF argument

for now excluding them. One must not lose sight of the fact

that if the old Commonwealth insist on the elimination of all

items on which they have a contractual preference our offer

would look pretty thin. There is some advantage, therefore,

in making as many major concessions to the old Commonwealth in

the hope that they will withdrew their reservations on other

items of less interest to them but on which they have a

contractual preference.

The MAFF may well reply that if we

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