-PRESS STATEbIENT BY DR. J. F. CAIRNS, ACTING PRIME MINISTER
HILIBOURNE DECEM. BER, 17, 1974
There is no need for G. M. H. to threaten the Government, nor
to sack thousands of workers to get action by the Government.
A few weeks ago the Government had, with G. M. H. and all other
sections of the industry, most extensive and constructive
discussions. A National Plan for the automotive industry was the result.
Among othe r things, it provided for the reduction to, and
limitation of, imports to about 20 per cent of the total.
G. M. H. and all others expressed complete approval.
Necessary steps were immediately taken to implement the
Plan. Imports began to fall and will continue to fall
Officials of the Department of Manufacturing Industry have
been in Japan for the past few weeks and from examination
of invoices and orders established that imports of Japanese
cars into Australia would be halved from the 36/ 37 per cent
level in January. This information was conveyed to G. M. H.
but they persisted in taking the action that they have taken.
The consumer also has to be protected and imports must remainr
sufficient to represent competition for the Australian monopoly
producers of motor cars.
The Australian Government also has a responsibility to
Australian producers of wool, wheat and minerals.
Japan is an important market and we muist buy front Japan.
Japan has co-operated with us in reducing imports of motor
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cars into Australia. We are satisified we will continue to
receive that co-operation.
But G. M. H. threats and dismissals are not just the result
of car imports into Australia.
G. M. H. threats and dismissals are a result of decisions in
Detroit and they are far greater in the United States, and
the same is happening in Germany and in Japan where imports
are not significant.
The automotive industry all over the world is going through
a basic re-construction. G. M. H. in Australia is part of this.
If it wants to blame the Australian Government this may
provide it with an excuse but that is no way to handle industry
reconstruction problems.
G. M. H. need not threaten the Government nor the workers just
before Christmas.
We will respond again and immediately. I am arranging
conferences with the A. C. T. U. and the Unions, with all
sections of the automative industry and finally, I hope,
with We will tackle the problems of the automotive
industry in Australia, not just from the point of view of
reducing or eliminsating import competition but so we can
plan our future together.
I hope G. M. H. will respond too and not dismiss as they did
yesterday every suggestion put forward by the Minister who
is responsible for the industry.
A solution can be found.