REPARATIONS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 9860, 6 July 1923, Page 5

REPARATIONS

WOOL TRADE WORRIEDSHUT OUT FROM RUHR.. EARLY SETTLEMENT URGED. (Per'Press Association, Copyright). (Received July 6, 11.35 a.m.) LONDON, July 5. Mr Lloyd Graeme privately received a wool trade deputation, headed by Mr Henry Whitehead, who emphasised the serious effect of the non-settlement of the reparations problem on the ivoollen and worsted industry. Mr Whitehead pointed out that the reparations occupation of the Ruhr and the French and Belgian competition must be considered as an entity. The psychological effect was more serious than the material, because the problem produced such uncertainty. Busness could not settle down. France and Belgium, owing to the state of the exchanges, were now able to sell in Britain yarn at tenpence to. a shilling a pound, and cloth at a shilling to two shillings a yard, below the West Riding values. This resulted in cancellation of forward contracts and increasing unemployment. The instability of foreign exchanges was a more serious deterrent to trade than the actual fig ure Mr Graeme, in his reply, showed full appreciation of the need for effective international settlement in flie interests of Britain’s trade. I

RUHR’S COMMERCIAL ASPECT

FRENCH ATTACK ON BRITAIN

SECRET SCHEMING ALLEGED.

(Received This Day, 12.35 p.m.) PARIS, July 5

The “Petit Pa,mien” asserts that Britain desires to advance the date of evacuation of the Ruhr, to which France and Belgium cannot assent. The “Matin” declares that the equivocation which damages negotiations does not come from France but from Britain, who desires to prevent the publication of her plan to exploit the results of the war, which is a monument to her egotism. The “Echo De Paris” says Mr McKenna’s approaching entry into the Cabinet may. have an important influence on the events, as he has a plan for settlement between Britain and Germany if an understanding between the Allies should become impossible. The “Matin’s” Dusseldonf correspondent states that an important arrangement has been concluded between: Krupps and the French authorities. The former ■ agrees to facilitate the removal of 70,000 tons of coal in exchange, France facilitating the transport of a certain "quantity of metallurgical products destined for export. Pan-German papers attack the agreement.