WILL BE A SUCCESS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 83, 10 April 1922, Page 5

WILL BE A SUCCESS.

j LLOYD GEORGE ON GENOA. - A SLEEPING-CAR TALK. jI By Cable.—Press Association.—Copyright.) PARIS, April 9. The French Prime Minister. M. Poincare. and the Minister of Foreign Affairs. M. Barthou. met Mr. Lloyd George at Paris on his wav to Genoa, and conferred with him in the train between the Gare dv Xord and the Care de Lyon. The Paris correspondent of the "Daily Chronicle" states that the meeting, which will be known as the "Wa-gon-lit conference," was of the most cordial character. Mr. Lloyd George laughingly assured M. Poincare that whatever French newspapers said he still represented the Kn<rlish democracy. He added that if the Genoa Conference proved abortive owinjr to French recalcitrancy it would do France much damage in England. He begged M. Poincare to weigh well the consequences of a negative passive attitude. M. Poincare replied that Mr. Lloyd George could reply upon France's cordial support as long' as the terms of the Boulogne Agreement were adhered to. Mr. Lloyd George afterwards said that as a result of his meeting with M. Poincare he was firmly convinced that the Genoa Conference would be a great success. The Australian Press Association cor respondent at (ienon states that the delegates of the Five Powers lengthily discussed the arrangements to-day. Mr. Lloyd George proposed to the president of the Conference that the languages throughout be English, French and Italian, which will lengthen the proceedings.— (A. and X.Z. Cable.)

COMMERCIAL VIEWPOINT. TRADE TOO HAMPERED. (Received v lo.**.o a.m.) LOXDOX, April 9. The Xational Association of Merchants and Manufacturers is sending to Genoa a petition signed by 800 leading representatives of British commerce and industry, declaring that the ever-increas-ing hindrances to the international exchange of goods and services constitute one of the root causes of the present chaotic state of the world's trade. The petitioners deplore that since the war practically every state in the world has enforced so many restrictions on trade, and they urge the Conference not merely to recommend the removal of those restriction, but to agree to such further measures as will ensure the liberation of trade and commerce throughout the world, this being one of the chief means to the restoration of economic prosperity. RUSSIAN AIMS. , GEXOA. April !). The head of the .Russian delegation, M. Tchitcherin, in an interview, said that he approved particularly of Mr. Lloyd George's desire to reduce European armaments and achieve practical results. Russia, while seeking European aid in reconstruction, would resolutely oppose the Cannes plan of a foreigncontrolled consortium, which would be calculated to encroach upon the sovereignty of the Soviet Government. It would be impossible to conclude an economic agreement unless Russia's judicial existence was recognised. Protesting against the French attitude toward the Soviet Government. M. Tchitcherin said that it depended upon France whether the Soviet Government would be compelled to enter into combinations opposed to French policy. The Soviet Government was prepared to recognise Russia's debts, but would insist on receiving reparation for devastation wrought by the "White" armies supported by the Allies.—(A. and X.Z.) ITALIAN HIGH HOPES. ! ROME, April !>. ' | The Italian Prime Minister, Signori Facta, in an interview, said that the Italian Government viewed the Genoa: Conference as the highest conceivable | manifestation of peace ideals, representing the sincerest determination on the part of victors and vanquished to collaborate in the reconstruction of Europe. It was imperative that Europe should, leave behind the passions of war and initiate reconstruction and the re-estab-lishment of relations between peoples. He was confident that nothing would occur to mar the tranquillity of the conference which would brighten Europe's future."—(A. and X.Z. Cable.)