DIFFICULTIES MET

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 December 1938, Page 7

DIFFICULTIES MET

MR S. M. BRUCE’S MISSION TO UNITED STATES OPPOSITION TO TRADE TREATY. PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. WASHINGTON, December 20. The Australian High Commissioner in London, Mr S. M. Bruce, came to grips with his real business in Washington in private conferences with the Assistant Secretary of State, Mr F. B. Sayre, and the Secretary of Agriculture, Mr H. A. Wallace, today. The latter interview was particularly significant since it is believed that Mr Wallace personifies the opposition of the agricultural leaders, to a treaty with Australia at the present time. Mr Bruce, in an interview after the conference, admitted that the opposition of the agricultural leaders to a reduction in the duty on Australian products was a major difficulty. He stressed, however, the joint that this had long been recognised. “Generally, I find a friendly disposition regarding a \treaty among the United States officials,” he said, “but naturally some difficulties are involved. I have not finished the conversations, and therefore am unable to comment on what has transpired.” Mr Bruce added that he had discussed the question of a wheat conference, and said that all nations-seemed to be interested but none had yet committed itself as to the amount of the restrictions it would adopt.