PROPOSED WORLD CONFERENCE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 413, 21 April 1937, Page 5

PROPOSED WORLD CONFERENCE

FRANCE NOT ENTHUSIASTIC. MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING. Good Impression Created In Italy. Press Association —Copyright. (Received 9.25 a.m.) London, April 20. Mr G. Lansbury’s plan for a world conference of economic cooperation and mutual understandi’ng ha s aroused no enthusiasm in France, where the Press sums up the position by saying: “If Hitler wants a conference, why doesn’t he call one.” A communique issued at Berlin retterring to Mr Lansbury’s suggestion of a world conference says that Herr Hitler, as be has already frequently dofae; emphasised! that Germany would not exclude herself from any mternational co-opera'tion promising success. A Rome message says. “Germany’s reported willingness to attend the conference has caused a good impres.sion in Italy, but officials are noncommittal on -the question of Italy’s attendance.” Mr Lansbury, broadcasting from Berlin to Britain to-night, said. — “President Roosevelt's name Was specifiaally mentioned because he is the first head of a Government with whom I discussed a conference. The United States is also the logical Ladon to take 'the lead as she is above this battle. I would like President Roosevelt to Sall a conference, but I am not sure 'thait he will.” Mr Lansbury added that the more be saw and heard the people of other lands the more convinced he became that all longed for peace. “Now we must redouble our efforts throughout the world to ensure a conference at the earliest moment,” he staid. BELGIUM’S IMPORTANCE Pivot of World Affairs. London, April 20. For ‘the time being Brussels has become the pivot of the world’s affairs, while ithe Belgian Prime Minister, Dr. Van Zteland, is simultaneously the outstanding European statesman. Dr. H. G. Schacht, German Minister of Economics, has already gone to Brussels, Mr Anthony Edi'in, British Foreign Minister, will depart thither on Sunday, and-Mr Norman Davis, roving United States Tmbassador in chß-rge of disarmament, will arrive soon afterwards. Mr Eden will participate in vital conversations in connection with Dr. van Zeeland’s mission to report to the world on freeing international trade by lowering tiariff barriers. British official quarters say it is yet too early to anticipate a world Economic Conference in the autumn, but they believe that if any man today i s able to give a lead in solving the world’s eocnomic problems that man is Dr. van Zeeland, whom White-' hall couples with M. Blum as head and should'/rs’ over other European statesmen.