FRANCE'S POLICY

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1931, Page 5

FRANCE'S POLICY

ONE OF SELF RELIANCE. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) PARIS', December 20. Emphasising that circumstances compel all Governments to practise national .protection, while proclaiming the necessity of international co-oper-lation, the Premier of France, M. Laval, speaking at a meeting, said:— “It is not enough to increase- tariffs. We must protect our own home market by quotas, acting with great caution, in order to prevent any overgreat lowering of imports, in which our trade balance must guide us.’’ Referring to the Reparations questions, M. Laval declared that France at the forthcoming conference on the subject would adopt that attitude that Germany’s position was estimated for the period of the economic depression. France also would refuse to agree that the reparations should be sacrificed to the private debts. He added: In view of the American attitude, those Governments which hadbeen dallying with the audacious idea of cancellation of war debts and reparations will doubtless be less eager to uphold it. A listener interjected : Hold fast! M. Laval replied, amid cheers: “That’.g my habit! I do not intend to allow-the Young Plnii to be torn tip.” He added that Franco at the Disarmament Conference would show that the country hated War, and that France's army is solely a defensive measure. France would not .refuse to consider schemes of mutual assistance, hut she would not compromise her own security.