DANUBE STATES

Hokitika Guardian, 9 April 1932, Page 5

DANUBE STATES

POWERS DIFFER

FINANCIAL SOLUTION SOUCHI’

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

LONDON, April 9

3 The Four Power Conference to try > for a financial solution of the problems I of the States in Central and South West known as the Danubian ■ States, had its first sitting at the Foreeign Office. Full delegations from France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom attended. The first communique said: “An exchange of views took place,as regards the problems inherent in the present economic and financial circumstances of the Danubian States, and the nature of the measures most appropriate for their solution. Before the conference adjourned, a committe was appointed to report on this subject to the conference when it resumes at 2.33 p.m., on Thursday. The Four Powers agreed to consider the problems raised by the recent report of the Financial state of certain countries of Central and South Eastern Europe.” It is understood that the Committee of the Conference will, in effect be composed of the heads of the delegation, and tlmt Mr Ramsay MacDonald will act as chairman, The Committee experts which the Four Powers have appointed to examine the League of Nations’ Financial Committee’s report will consist of representatives of tiie treasuries of the Governments concerned. Sir Frederick Leitch-Ross will be the British representative. Fear was at first expressed that there was a danger of some very valuable reports, prepared unper th auspices of the League of Nations, being neglected because there was not Executive authority to take them into detailed consideration. A report published last week has a very definite bearing on the subject before the Four Powers’ Conference, and, as already known, it is to be considered next Tuesday in a specially convented meeting of the League of • Nations Council. All members of tfie Expert Committee which has been appointed have not yet reached London, but will begin work as soon as po s sible ; and may continue their deliberations on tile proposals made in tbe League’s report after the present Conference has concluded.

CONFERENCE A FAILURE

POWERS UNABLE TO AGREE

LONDON, April 8,

Count Bulow said Germany was prepared to grant unilateral preference to Hungary, Jugo 'Slavia, Ronmania, nnd Bulgaria in respect of their agricultural exports and offered Austria unilateral preference for both agricultural and industrial exports. He invited other Powers to follow the example. When Bulow had concluded by observing that French and German proposals were mutually destructive tlie members of the Conference realised a solution at present was impracticable.

The “Daily Express” says the Conference crashed over the refusal of Germany and Italy to sacrifice trading rights without compensation. In the background was German suspicion that the French proposal was intended to block the possibility of a revival of the plan of Austro—German Customs union.

A French correspondent of the “Daily Telegraph,” says French quarters regard Germany’s objections as really political. She fears' tlie closing of the Danube countries againstGermanic influence and economic penetration .

Air Ramsay MacDonald, at the close of tlie proceedings intimated the failure of a scheme of preferential tariff meant the loss of financial assistance to the- States.

BRITAIN’S OTTAWA DELEGATION

(British Official Wireless.)

RUGBY, April 9

The Dominions Secretary (Mr Thomas) to-day informed a deputation of the British Committee on Empire Trade, that the Government had decided to appoint trade advisers to the United Kingdom delegation attending the Ottawa Conference.

The deputation expressed gratification from the Trade Union Congress to nominate two representatives to accompany the United Kingdom delegation to the Ottawa Conference, in accordance with the Government’s decision to appoint industrial advisers to their delegation.