POST-WAR PLANS

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21582, 19 November 1941, Page 6

POST-WAR PLANS

FREE TRADE URGED BRITAIN AND AMERICA EFFECT ON DOMINIONS (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Nov. 19. 3.15 p.m.) NEW YORK. Nov. 18 The Washington correspondent of the New York Times states that the United States and Britain have made substantial progress toward an agreement on broad economic post-war plans. He states that negotiations are going on in London to reach a master agreement on the settlement of lend and lease obligations. He says that it is understood the State Department has asked the British to co-opei/te after the war for the removal of restrictions on free trade and to give all nations fair access to raw materials controlled by Britain, The Times says that this is interpreted as meaning that the United States is asking Britain to reconsider the Ottawa Agreements system. It says that something on these lines is expected to be made public by both Governments in about two months, in the form of a declaration of intentions. The Ottawa Agreement culminated from the British Empire Economic Conference held in Ottawa in August, 1932, when Britain and ail tne Dominions except the Irish Free State signed agreements giving preference in respect to tariffs to Empire goods. Britain gave preference to the following goods from the Dominion: Butter, cheese, condensed milk, milk powder, honey, eggs, wheat, pears and apples, canned fruit and other commodities, New Zealand, being a producing country benefiting materially. Regarding meat Britain placed a quantitive restriction on meat from the Argentine. The agreement at the time was for five years, but it was later stated that it did not expire then but was automatically continued.

After 1937 it could be refuted by any of the signatories by giving six months’ notice, but none of the Dominions has taken this step.

DISTRICT BOMBS

DEVASTATION IN GERMANY 'United Press Assn.—eioc. Tel. Copyrignt; LONDON, Nov. 18 So devastating are the bombs used by the Royal Air Force, says the London Daily Express, that tne Germans have given them a new name, “Bezirksbomben” (district bombs), because they mow down whole districts of towns.

WOMEN FOR SERYICE

ALL THOSE BORN IN 1911 (Official wireless) (Received Nov. 19. 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 18 All women born in 1911 will be required for national service on November 22 unless they are in that class exempted from the registration for employment order.

JEWISH DIVISION

DIFFICULTY OF FORMATION (Official Wireless) (Received Nov. 19. 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, Nov. 18 The Secretary of State for War, Captain Margesson, stated in tne House of Commons that the formation of a Jewisn division would present very serious practical difficulties.