DEBTS QUESTION

Hokitika Guardian, 24 November 1932, Page 5

DEBTS QUESTION

EXTENSION PLEA UNLIKELY TO BE ACCEPTED. (United Press Association—By Electric ' Telegraph—Oopyri gilt) WASHINGTON, November 22. There was a two-liour conference between Mr Hoover and Mr Roosevelt, who were assisted by their advisers, at White House to-day- It resulted in the assurance of a brief, non-commital statement, merely setting out that debt postponements had been discussed, and “it is felt that, progress has been made.”

The statement added that Mr Hoover would meet the Congressional leaders to-morrow.

Further information regarding the conference is withheld, although it is understood that Mr Roosevelt indicated that he would not attempt to dictate to the members of his party what policy ishouild be followed. He will maintain his previously-expressed attitude that the immediate responsibility rests with Mr Hoover and the present Congress. The rejection of the European pleas for an extension of the war debt moratorium, and also' ail immediate revision after March 4, were both indicated as the probable course of the United States Government on Tuesday night, after the Hoover-Rooseveli conference. Neither the. President no: the Presid'ent-elect made any informative. statement, but their close associates, who know their respective opinions, view these ais virtually certain conclusions as the result of the discussions.

It has been ascertained from a source •close to Mr Roosevelt that he barely participated in the actual discussions. Most of the talking was done by Mr Hoover and the Secretary, Mr Mills. Mr Roosevelt took up the position that- the whole matter is up to the present chief of the executive. Mr Hoover found Mr Roosevelt still of the opinion that the immediate question of the Decetmber 15 payments, is a problem for the present Administration.

It was learned from the associates of Mr Roosevelt that he still felt that the decisions to be made now are the decisions of Mr Hoover.

Mr Roosevelt indicated during the campaign that he wanted to remain free to deal with the whole, question of the foreign situation as one piece. Mr Roosevelt will hold a conference late to-night, with Speaker Garner, and the Democratic leaders in the Senate and the House.

BRITAIN’S NEXT PAYMENT.

WILL IT BE HER LAST?

WASHINGTON, November 23

At the conference of Mr F. Roosevelt (President-elect of the' United States) and a group' of Democratic Party leaders, Mr Roosevelt informed the conferees that Mr Hoover and his associate, Mr Mills,"had told him that Britain would pay its ninety million dollars due in December, but that unless the United States Government made a gesture l towards considering the debts, Britain would not pay any more.

Mr Roosevelt i 9 also understood to have said that Mr Hoover told him that if some gesture towards discussing the debts with their foreign debtors was not made, a grave situation would ensue.

ROOSEVELT’S WORLD PLAN.

NEW YORK, November 23

The “New York Times” Washington correspondent has ■ learned that President Hoover* will not recommend to Congress the suspension of the war debt payments, .but that he will urge the re-creation of the United States War Debt Funding Commission, with a view to the possible revision of the war debts.

In the afternoon tine conference qf Mr Hoover and Mr Roosevelt agreed agiainst the granting of a postponement. *

Mr Rooisevelt declined to support or to oppose the revival of a Debt Funding Commission. The Democratic observers have interpreted this as an indication that Mr Roosevelt proposes to handle the debt situation ias a part of a general world economic programme, which he is contemplating.

LORD READING’S OPINION. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) LONDON, November 23. Lord Reading, who has just returned from a visit to the United States, in an address to the English Speaking Union, said that lie was confident from what he had seen, read, and beard, that the feeling in the States is that Britain has had a hard deal regarding the. debt settlements. “I believe the Americans are quite ready to revise the settlement.”