ECONOMIC HAZARDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 52, 29 January 1938, Page 9

ECONOMIC HAZARDS

DANGERS EXPOSED. M. VAN ZEELAND’S SURVEYFAVOURABLE RECEPTION. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph-—Copyright.) (British Official Wireless.) Received January 29, 9.50 a.m. RUGBY, Jan. 28. Commenting editorially on M. Van Zeeland’s report the Daily Telegraph considers that the political difficulties epitomised in his suggestion that the first step is to ascertain if the Great Powers are prepared to attempt international economic co-operation, arc fundamental difficulties, but adds: “The hour may not seem propitious, but the very urgency of the case may tend to overcome the hesitation which would otherwise be insuperable. In exposing the dangers M. Van Zeeland may have evoked the will to avert them.”

The city editor of the Times says: “It may fairly be asked: ‘When is economic disarmament ever to bo tackled if it is be done neither in the years of depression nor the years of recovery?’ ” The Manchester Guardian states: “What M. Van Zeeland proposes is really that Germany and Italy should be given the opportunity to bring their economic demands into the open.” The paper adds : “If the report can be made the instrument for working a change of heart in the States that have preferred war economy to peaceful co-operation, well and good, but without a change of heart it will be still born.” , The Daily Herald considers: It would be an extreme piece of humbug to exempt democratic Governments from any lesponsibility either for the present evil state of things or for the failure to put it right.” The Times commends M. Van Zeeland for avoiding the tendency to preach a kind of economic crusade and divide the nations into sheep and goats. , ' ~ , The Financial News takes a highly critical attitude.

AMERICAN OPINION. WASHINGTON, Jan. 27. Mr Cordell Hull (Secretary •of State) declined to discuss M. Van Zeeland’s report on the ground that lie had not yet studied it sufficiently, but he praised the undertaking. Other comment will apparently also be delayed pending further exploration of the meaning and significance of tfie document, .though is ,( elt that M. Van Zeeland generally follows the concepts of trade relationship long held by the American Government. The New York Times, in a leading article, says: “It, is not prejudging the report’s conclusions to say that the brightest hope of international cooperation in the world to-day lies in the prospect of closer partnership between democratic nations which have common standards and kindred purposes.” ROME AND BERLIN.

LONDON, Jan. 27. Summaries of M. Van Zeeland s report are published in Rome and Berlin without comment. Official circles are similarly reticent, saying the matter is too complicated for comment at present.

AMERICA AND AUSTRALIA

NEGOTIATIONS NOW POSSIBLE.

NEW YORK, Jan. 27

The United Press Washington correspondent understands that the United States on February 1 will iemove Australia from tho blacklist of nations deprived of tariff concessions, as a result of Australia’s removal of discriminations against the Lmted St o te We are now negotiable,” Mr Keith Officer, Australian Government representative in Wasamgton, told the Australian Associated News Agency, m summing up the point ot view ot all parties which participated in negotiations for a restoration of most favouied nation privileges to Australia. He pointed out that the State Department rigidly declined any trade treaty negotiations with nations on the so-called “black list.” The decks were now cleared for discussions on a possible pact between Australia and America, and, while it was realistically envisaged that much difficult negotiaon still separated the two countries from the desired reciprocal expansion of trade, there was considerable optimism that much that was worthwhile could now be achieved. Trade circles most familiar with Australian and American trade, after a careful canvass of the position expressed the opinion to the Australian Associated Press that American concessions to Australia under the possible trade treaty might begin with the finer counts of wool, which America does not produce;‘also, in view of the high prices of meat. Australian mutton; also spirits, possibly the Scotch type of whiskies and wines; off-season fruits, if opposition from California and Florida can be overcome; sausage casings, for which America promises a market posribly greater than Germany; and fine cabinet woods, Australia s potentialities as a producer of which experts in America believe have been virtually untouched. . To-day’s developments again centred attention on the question of an Australian legation at Washington. It is pointed out that the success of the negotiations is under the auspices of Sir Ronald Lindsav (British Ambassador) who again emphasised the wisdom’ of continuing Australian diplomatic representations as part of the British Embassy. It is questioned wliether relations between Australia and America are sufficiently extensive to keep a legation busy. American circles are convinced that Australia will probably decide on the continuance of diplomatic representation at the British Embassy, at the same time further clarifying and probably strengthening the New York office. It is intimated that Australia will appoint a High Commissioner in America as an ultimate solution of the representation problem.

CANADIAN EFFORTS

TRADE TREATY WITH AMERICA

OTTAWA, Jan. 27. Parliament has opened. The Speech from the Throne forecasts legislation dealing with unemployment insurance, national defence and a readjustment of the powers of the Dominion and the provinces. It was revealed that a new trade pact, between Canada and the United ; States, was under negotiation simul-1 taneously with the British-United, States treaty and it was hoped it I would be ready for Parliament this : session.