WAR REPARATIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 February 1929, Page 6

WAR REPARATIONS

EXPERTS START AT PARIS. United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph —Copy ngnt J. PARIS, Feb. 12. A ,business-like start has been made by the Reparations ExpeiiS, who, at the .last moment, decided to meet at the Hotel George the Fifth, instead of at the Astoria, in ordei to avoid sitting in artificial light. The committee, after unanimously electing Sir Owen Young chairman, settled matters of procedure. It intends to keep no wordy minutes of proceedings, but only a record of the conclusions reached. it has further decided that a general secretariat is unnecessary. Such work as occasionally will be acquired will be performed* by Mr Fred Bate, American Attache to the Reparations Committee, in Paris. The Committee’s work, as arranged at present, will 'be done in full sessions, not 'in sections. The hours are fixed provisionally at eleven and three o’clock daily. Deputy delegates will be present on all occasions, but will not participate in the discussions. With these points disposed of, M. Moreau briefly presented the 11 ''neh viewpoint as regards the Committee's task. Thus the labours began. H is expected the inquiry will be prolonged. Doubtless it will yield a daily crop of rumours, but these may be disregarded. The experts are not likely to indulge in tittle-tattle. The people of the nations must await authoritative pronouncements with patience and confidence. As the Financial News remarks, a reasonable settlement has become of such palpable interest to all concerned, that nothing short of an extremely untoward incident can avert it.