BRITAIN'S INTERESTS ABOVE ALL

Chronicle (Levin), 28 March 1947, Page 7

BRITAIN'S INTERESTS ABOVE ALL

(Special Correspondent).

MR. NASH SPEAKS OF TRADE CONCESSIONS

LONDON, March 26. New Zealand had never considered the aoolition of Commonwealth preferences, hut would approve amendments if they were for the general benefit, said Mr. Nash at a Press conference. Mr, Nash emphasised New Zealand's intention, in view of Britain' s difficult position, to consider the interests, above all, of Britain at the Geneva talks. He said Britain now lay between two worlds and must look for longterm safeguards. New Zealand would only consider trading concessions providing a threeway benefit — to Britain, New Zealand . and the country asking for the concession. New Zealand was prepared to vary her system of import controls, which she was at present operating very vigorously in favoux of Britain, for any firra quid pro quo. Mr. Nash.^added that the time had como for the' nations to act. If Geneva did not produce a course of action it was inevitable that four or five years would bring a calaraity far worse than the depressions yet known. He was reasonably optimistic, however, that the nations would take united action hefore there was any major trade recession. He believed the nations couid maintain their high standards and, by combining in a world system of trade, raise the standard of backward countries. Mr. Nash is not attending the meetings of the Einpire Trade Conference, which are being conducted on an un- ■ official level, but he has been fully inforincd of the trend and progress of the talks. Mr. J. P. Johnson, the As-sistant-Controller of Customs, is leading the New Zealand delegation, which is represented on all the committees. There is a inain committee dealing with matters of general interest, and eacli country has formed its own committee to consider the list of suggested tariff concessions received from the United States. All the Empire countries are now engaged in stating their reactions to the American requests and in listening to the comments of the othcr delegations. It is understood that there is a fairly general desirc in the conference for a substantial element of Imperial preference to be rationed, and that there will be very careful consideration of the American counter concessions before any agreement is reached to surrender the cxisting preferences. It is cstimated that the conference will conclude on April 3 and that the New Zealand delegation will depart for Geneva about April 7. It is reported that claborate precautions are being takou in Geneva to ensure the strictesl seeurity mcasurcs to guard agaiust leakage of information to the Press durintr the conference.

Mr. E. J. Faweett, the New Zealand Director-General of Agriculture, who has returned from Eonie, wliere lif attended. a meeting of the executive committee of the Food and Agriculture Organisation, has joined the 'New Zealaiid delegation to the Empire Trade Conference. In Tlome the executive commititee; co'iisidcred- ; cou'nter-pf oposals made by the preparatqrv commissidn to the woiild 'fooid pfdpqSals ; siig^e^ted : by Sir Jollii1 Boyd:Orr. The comiilissjon did not' .Cndorse the latter's plan,- but; suggested' a! world' food eonncil.' The opinions of the executive on tliis suggestion, which are not available for publication, are being conveyed to the Governments concerned.