REPARATIONS CONFERENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 5 August 1929, Page 6

REPARATIONS CONFERENCE

IMPORTANT GATHERING. BRITAIN’S POSITION. (United Pcpss Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright)- • (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) V , LONDON, August 4. * At Hague delegates from various nation are.,assembling to participate in the momentous Reparations’ Conference opening .on Tuesday' at Parliament’ Buildings, Most of. the delegate's stay at the nearby seaside resort of Cheveningen. There will he thirteen countries represented, and the delegates and staffs number several hundreds. Proceedings will inovitably he protracted and are hardly expected to be concluded before the League Council meetings opening at Geneva on 29th. '■ It is understood Mr Snowden will offer a firm resistance to the proposal that a' reduction should be made at the sole expense of Britain, which certainly will lose at least two and n-half mil- ;■ [ibh per annum over, a period of thirtyseven years; if- the Young ■ plan is adopted, entirely. • Moreover, 1 German payments: ;are divided into two catgories, wherqof thirty4three' millions 'fire unconditional and-'the remainder under certain circumstances are postponable/' Under tile Young - plan, ‘the British share comes .front the' postpoiiab'le portion of Germany’s France ;'hnd Italy, in-.-additioii-'to 1 having their share increased-at the expense of Britain, arc given a prior charge on certain payments whereas Britain is not only allotted smaller payment, hut is uncertain of getting even that. Moreover, Britain never recovered and never will'recover, .the difference of two hundred millions sterling between wiliat she has thus ffar' paid America, and what she has= received from Europe. ' Britain also objects 'to a continuance of deliveries in kind for a further decen--niprn and; the ; fact’-that the' directorate of the- new International Brink 'include; more French arid’-Germaiv than British. There iarobiialso the thorny questions of Rhineland'evacuation and’the proposed' committee of- verification ■ and' conciliation. rar..-