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濠洲の対日高関税と通商擁護法発動迄の経緯概略 Gōshū no tainichi kōkanzei to tsūshō yōgohō hatsudō made no keii gairyaku

Abstract

This work is a collection of documents published by the JapanAustralia Society in Japan. It concerns deteriorating trade relations between the two countries over a few months in 1936. The introduction, written by the President of the Society, Baron Sakatani Yoshirō, outlines the good relationship between Australia and Japan from the Meiji period, through several wars, to the latest trade delegation by the Deputy Prime Minister, John Latham. However, the introduction by the Australian Government, of prohibitive tariffs on Japanese goods, and the corresponding actions by the Japanese Government limiting Australian imports, have caused a sharp deterioration of the relationship. The work is in three parts. The first traces the history of the introduction of high tariffs on 22 May 1936, and the society’s reaction. It includes extracts of statements and correspondence from related parties about the tax. The second part contains extracts from newspapers and magazines in Australia depicting domestic opposition to the tax increases. The third part contains statements and articles from the gazette of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Bureau of Commerce. This work covers an important crossroads in the history of relations between the two countries, and as such may be of historical interest.

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