CYPHER/CAT A
PRIORITY CANBERRA
TELEGRAM NUMBER 5
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
TO HONG KONG.
11 APRIL 1969.
[ NEUTRAL]
FOR DIRECTOR OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY.
TOP COPY
D
14/69.
PA please 12/14/4
GATT LONG TERM ARRANGEMENT REGARDING TRADE IN COTTON TEXTILES.
THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY HANDED TO COMMERCIAL
COUNSELLOR TODAY A MEMORANDUM GIVING DETAILS OF INCREASE IN COTTON
TEXTILE IMPORTS FROM HONG KONG. THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT IS CONCERNED
THAT IMPORTS FOR TWELVE MONTHS ENDING FEBRUARY 1969 WERE 1.636 MILL-
ION SQUARE YARDS ( AGREED LIMIT BEING 1.5 MILLION) AND HAS REQUESTED
THAT, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING, CONSULTAT→
IONS BETWEEN THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT
SHOULD BE RESUMED URGENTLY WITHIN THE TERMS OF ARTICLE 3 OF THE GATT
COTTON TEXTILES ARRANGEMENT.
2. THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT REQUESTS ALSO, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
UNDERTAKING GIVEN DURING THE DISCUSSIONS IN HONG KONG LAST MAY, THAT
THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT SUSPENDS THE ISSUE OF EXPORT AUTHORISATIONS
PENDING RESUMPTION OF CONSULTATIONS.
3. THEY HAVE SUGGESTED THAT ADVANTAGE COULD BE TAKEN OF THE
PRESENCE IN HONG KONG ON 24 AND 25 APRIL OF MR. W.A. MCKINNON, DEPUTY
SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY, TO HOLD CONSULTAT-
IONS DURING HIS VISIT. UNDER PARA. 1 OF ARTICLE 3 OF THE COTTON TEXT-
ILES ARRANGEMENT THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT HAVE NOTIFIED THE COTTON
TEXTILE COMMITTEE OF THEIR REQUEST FOR RESUMPTION OF CONSULTATIONS.
RECEIVED N ARCHIVES No.31
14 hr R 1969
HKK 6/345/1
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