LATEST CABLE NEWS WAR DEBTS.

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1925, Page 2

LATEST CABLE NEWS

WAR DEBTS.

THE PAULS CONFERENCE. CONFLICTING INTERESTS. [EeUTEKS TEDEURAMS.j PARIS, Jan. 7. I ior to the opening of the InterAllied Finance Conference, AL Ciementel and Air Churchill officially exchanged views on the whole question of in-ter-All ied debts. At tlie opening of the Conference AL (’leineutel said that he. was convinced, from experience, that the conference would reach a unanimous solution of the piohlems. lie emphasised the i<ccessity ol fixing the distribution of icparations. as uncertainty hindered the work of the Reparations Commission, as well as of the Finance Al blisters, who did not know how much to pint to credit in their Budgets under the head of reparations. He declared that the Conference, agenda mostly were matters of detail. There wore only three or four dominant problems, which the .- selves were of relatively secondary importance. compared with the foundaniental agreement reached in London. Air Churchill, in replying, endorsed Al. Clementel’s remarks ulsuit the limited technical character of much of the work before them. “Hope,” he said “flies on wings and international conferences plod afterwards along dusty roads, but the conviction exists that progress is being made towards unity and prosperity in Europe.” Air Churcliiil stated that, though the interests of the different Allies were conflicting, each was hound to present its own ease. All would remember that indissoluble comradeship was more important than the exact achievement of a particular viewpoint. Doubtless larger issues in the background awaited decision, anil an agreement about their immediate path should not he encumbered with these. They at this Conference, should so handle business as to disperse the minor obstructions, ami create a spirit and an atmosphere which would bring a solution nearer. PRESS VIEWS. LONDON. Jan. 8. There is much speculation, but few facts are available from Paris, regarding the first conversations. The “Daily Express” states that Mr Churchill dined with Al. Louchcur privately on Tuesday night, and alludes to the latter as a man who lias played an important, but mysterious part in Fdanet)-British negotiations. The paper proceeds: “Al. Clemeiitel gave Air Churchill a formal undertaking that the French debt payments to England would equal whatever .tynients made to America.” ’1 he French Finance Minister also mooted a morulorium scheme (as cabled on January 2nd.) which the “Daily Express” points out, means that France’s first interest payments, beginning a decade hence, if applied to the reduction of income tax. would be equivalent to a reduction of half-penny in the £in Britain now. The “Daily E xpress” continues with a lively account of how Mr Churchill (who is being nick-named and cartoon'd in the Paris press as the “British Railin’’) drove early on Wednesday morning—-unnoticed, in spite of his 'wonderful hat to the French Ministry of I malice, where lie- was hep 4 ) waiting ten minutes fussing and fuming in an atmosphere ol Gobelin tapestries. dust bins, and deail cats, until a man .i:i a lilac!: suit and a silver chain enquired : “Are you Air Lord Chuiv’iil!! J ” and ushered him into Al. Clemen lei’s study. The “Daily Telegraph” states: ■‘AL Clemeiitel li i <1 to ascertain the standpoint of Air Churchill about the debts. Air Churcliiil, it is believed denied that the iilter-Allied Conference will he su!nmoilet! to deal with tbe ipiestion. He explained that the real purpose of Sir Montague Norman's visit to America was to discuss the 11 lest ion of the gold standard. The “Daily Herald” says: “It is clear that the real negotiations are proceeding outside the Conference,” and it hints that Franco is preparing to head a league of debtor nut .ms.” The “Eiiiani ial Times” says: “Air C'hurliill lias tint the slightest expectation of reaching definite results on the , debt question at the present colder- i cm.i