EFFECT ON WORLD PARLEY

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 15 June 1933, Page 7

EFFECT ON WORLD PARLEY

EVIDENCE OF PROGRESS

SHADOW LIFTED FROM DEBATE

FEARS OF FULL PAYMENT.

AUSPICES NOW FAVOURABLE.

(British OSicial Wireless.) Received 3.15 p.m. to-day. RUGBY, June 14. The exchange of views between the British and United States Governments is now completed and the Chancellor was able to announce in the House of Commons to-night, with the full assent of President Roosevelt, that a payment of ten million dollars would be made as an acknowledgment of the debt, pending a final settlement. A White Paper was simultaneously issued containing the papers relating to the question. A British note of Julie 13 stated that the opinion of the British Gov-

( eminent was that it was essential for the success of the Economic Conference that delegates should not be hampered and harassed by doubts about the possibility of a satisfactory settlement of war debts. The payment of a further instalment at this juncture would inevitably be judged to mean that no progress whatever had been made towards a settlement. The Government therefore proposed to make an immediate payment of ten million dollars as an acknowledgment of the debt, pending a final settlement, and suggested negotiations. The United States reply pointed out I that power to reduce or cancel the debt rested with Congress; and suggested that- Britain should make representations in 'Washington as soon as was convenient regarding a further discussion of the entire debt question. The statement issued at Washington to-night by Mr. Roosevelt points out that the payment of ten million dollars does not in any sense prejudice the freedom of either Government in any subsequent discussion of the entire debt question which will take account of this and’other debt payments. The president added that meanwhile the World Economici Conference was beginning under the most favourable auspices and it was l vitally necessai y that during tlje opening days of the conference the difficult and possible protracted discussion of debts should . be avoided.