611.4731/96: Telegram
The Consul General at Sydney (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State
[Received June 7—5:50 a.m.]
Received today from the Prime Minister 5–page communication copy of which is being mailed 7th.15 The following summary is being sent by telegraph at his request:
Commonwealth Government refers to possible loss of markets in those countries where Australia [has?] favorable trade balances and continued adverse trade balances with the United States; hopes for trade negotiations with and requests from the United States:
- (firstly), free entry for a reasonable amount Australian wool and progressive reductions of duty;
- (secondly), importation free of duty or at nominal duty of 50,000 tons of butter annually of which reasonable amount to be Australian;
- (thirdly), importation during each of the next few years free of duty and under veterinary regulations similar to those of Great Britain of 10,000 tons of Australian beef and the same amount of mutton and lamb, amount to be increased when Australia can supply more;
- (fourthly), regulation of the United States apple exports to Great Britain and the continent of Europe so that none of them reach or are stored abroad for sale in those markets between March 15th and August 31st each year;
- (fifthly), limitation in the interest of Australian exports of the United States dried fruits exported to Great Britain, Canada and New Zealand and of canned fruits to Great Britain and Canada.
Commonwealth Government also observes that if additional Australian exports, [which will be facilitated] by the United States acquiescence in foregoing requests, do not give even trade balance between Australia and the United States consideration to be given to triple arrangements between Australia, the United States and countries having unfavorable trade balances with Australia, under which guarantees by Australia regarding specified items exported from the United States to Australia would be the consideration for trade concessions by the United States to the third country which in turn would give concessions to Australia in its markets.
I am merely acknowledging and stating that a summary is being telegraphed and copy forwarded by mail as requested. Unless I am instructed to the contrary I shall defer despatch of note referred to in the Department’s telegram of May 16, 7 p.m. until instructed by the Department following its receipt of my despatch on that subject by last mail and of copy of communication mentioned above.
- Not printed.↩