TRADE TALKS GO SLOWLY

Chronicle (Levin), 2 May 1947, Page 6

TRADE TALKS GO SLOWLY

(Special Correspondent).

JKeceived lnursday, 7 p.m. LONDON, May 1. Progress of tlie trade conference at Geneva has been much slower than an- ■ ticipated. Instead of the conference being taken in two parts, discussions on tariffs followed by discussions on charter, it now seems likely that both will proceed simultaneously. The reason for this is the fact that the major- ■ ity of delegations arrived with incom- . plete information. For instance the latest French, Belgian, Dutch and ' Czechoslovakian tariffs were not known in detail. These had to be secured and then translated, all whereof took time The conference has now reached the stage where every delegation has exchanged a list of items wbereon they are prepared to discuss "reasonable coneessions''' and the first meetings for exchanging points of view are now being held. The coilung fortnight, it is understood, will be an important phase of the conferenee when the various dele-^ gations will be consideriiig their attitude as the result of the exchanges of - opinion. Reports indicate that the publication of the American Wool Bill providin'r ' for an additional ad valorem fee of 50 ' per cent on all wool imported into the United States has been received rather dubiously in Geneva, particularly by the D.ominion delegations. This, taken together with America's escape clause affecting any agreements made, appears to be causing a note of reserve regard ing' the conference as a whole. Some definite opinions on the tone of the proceedings may perhaps be forthcoming in about a fortnight 's time.