WHAT MIGHT BE DONE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 July 1939, Page 6

WHAT MIGHT BE DONE

IF CONFIDENCE WERE RESTORED

MR R. S. HUDSON’S TALK WITH HERR WOHLTAT.

ONLY PERSONAL OPINIONS EXPRESSED.

(British Oflicial Wireless.) (Received This Dav, 12.5 p.m.) RUGBY July 24

Viscount Halifax, in the House of Lords, made a statement concerning Press ’ reports about Herr Wohltat’s visit to London and said Mr R. S. Hudson had reported to himself, as Foreign Minister, that his conversation with Herr Wohltat turned to steps that might be taken to produce improvements in the foreign trade of principal manufacturing countries. Mr Hudson pointed out that a solution of the political question was a necessary prelimin ary —by which he meant the restoration of international confidence—and discussed what might be done to re move existing barriers to the development of international trade, including barter agreements, exchange restrictions. import quotas and so on. The discussion led to financial steps that might have to be taken to overcome initial difficulties. Mr Hudson, who emphasised that he was only expressing a personal view, said that, assuming international confidence had been restored, there should be scope for co - operation on this matter on the part c-f the principal countries concerned. Lord Halifax concluded: "There is no justification for stating or assuming that these remarks constitute a proposal for a loan by Britain to Germany." Mr Chamberlain made a similar statement in the House of Commons.

Replying to a question by Mr A. Greenwood, Mr Chamberlain said Cabinet knew nothing about these conversations, nor did any other Minister ■other than the Minister concerned. It was not the intention of the Government to ■lnitiate any discussion of the kind.