Canned fruits. Position in relation to unsold portion last pack is
most embarrassing. Industry here knows that United Kingdom
imported very large quantities canned fruits from United States in
1939-40 and then shut down on Australia. They consider
Commonwealth Government indifferent to needs of industry. Unsold
stocks are embarrassment to market and next canning season will
present serious problem if no export outlet. Industry here repeats
charges that United Kingdom advisers apparently more favourably
disposed to imports from United States. Is it impossible to induce
Food Ministry to reply to our request for undertaking not to
import canned fruits from United States? [1] If they are prepared
to do so will they revise policy regarding import from Australia.
[2]
1 This request was contained in a cablegram dispatched to Bruce on
7 August and repeated in a cablegram dispatched on 29 August.
Bruce replied on 4 September that although the U.K. Govt had
prohibited the import of canned fruit from the United States on 19
March it was not prepared to give a definite undertaking not to
make such purchases in the future. Bruce understood, however, that
imports from the United States would be resumed only if the U.S.
Govt raised the issue as part of a high policy consideration
affecting British Empire-United States collaboration. All
cablegrams are on file AA:AA1973/362, BOX 46, item A39.
2 Bruce reported on 4 September (see unnumbered cablegram on file
cited in note 1) that the U.K. Govt regarded canned fruit as non-
essential in wartime and would not give it priority in available
shipping space. He did not anticipate obtaining fixed arrangements
for more than a very limited quantity, but thought it might be
possible to supplement this with an understanding that the U.K.
Ministry of Food would permit the entry of any canned fruit for
which shipping space could be found. Bruce believed that although
this arrangement would be anything but satisfactory for Australia
it would probably be the best that could be obtained.
[AA:A3196, 1940, [0.16217]
