TASKS FOR CABINET

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 48, 25 January 1938, Page 7

TASKS FOR CABINET

VARIETY OF PROBLEMS. POLICY IN FAR EAST, BRITISH MINISTERS ASSEMBLE. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received January 25, 10.27 a.m. RUGBY, Jan. 24. Nearly all the Ministers have now returned to London in preparation for the reassembly of Parliament in a week’s time. It is anticipated that Cabinet will consider, among other subjects, the situation in the Far East, the war in Spain, membership of the fact-finding commission which shortly is to leave for Palestine, M. Van Zeeland’s report, and the Anglo-American trade talks. In regard to the Far Eastern situation, London official circles have noted the references to Anglo-Japanese relations and the assurances that Japan would fully respect the rights and interests of other Powers in China, and would follow the policy of the “open door” which were made by the Foi eign Minister (Mr K. Hirota) in his speech at the opening of the Japanese Diet. According to the Times, these passages in the speech are regarded in London as indicating tho desire of the Japanese Government to avoid incidents which can only harm AngloJapanese relations. It adds that Mr Hirota’s assurance encourages the hope for Japanese co-operation in the removal of the present disputes and tho prevention of further incidents. At the same time it is made clear that the British Government has no intention of relaxing its vigilance in protecting the important and long-established British interests at stake in China.