“GOOD ATMOSPHERE”

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22339, 26 May 1947, Page 2

“GOOD ATMOSPHERE”

GENEVA TRADE TALKS MR. NASH'S COMMENTS LONDON, May 23. Although Mr. Nash on his arrival in London found himself able only to generalise on the progress of the trade talks at Geneva, he was plainly of opinion that reports from America that the outlook for the conference was black, and that it may break down over the wool question, were too pessimistic. “The question of the American wool tariff is being given a lot of consideration,’’ he admitted, “but there is plenty of goodwill at Geneva and the United States and United Kingdom are going a long way to get the organisation going.” Mr. Nash did not deny that the wool tariff question was serious, for he said: “With the exception of the wool discussions the relations that the New Zealand ’ delegation had with the other nations were good. “There will be some bargaining in respect of tariffs,” he added, "but, generally speaking, the atmosphere is good.” Speaking generally about the conference, Mr. Nash said he thought a way should be left open for the Soviet to come in, even though its representatives were not there at present. He also indicated that the conference might have to consider proposals additional to tariffs and subsidies to promote trade development. “Under-developed countries must be helped if disaster is to be avoided,” he said. “Production to the maximum is required everywhere.

“An effective demand must be maintained and expanded, or else production may cause us trouble as it did in the past, when people were hungry, although there was an abundance of food in the world.”