LIBERAL SPIRIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 98, 28 April 1933, Page 7

LIBERAL SPIRIT.

WASHINGTON MEETING

Roosevelt-MacDonald Efforts to Aid World Recovery. SOUND FOUNDATION SET. (United P.A.—Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) WASHINGTON, April 27. With the departure of the British Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, from Washington yesterday the most important section of the pre-London convex-sations here can be said to have been concluded. Mr. Mac Donald uttered a farewell last evening in a homely speech to the Pilgrim's Society in New York, in which he made an earnest appealing call for Anglo-American friendship, "not of pacts and signatures, but of heart and conscience." Seemingly the very essence of an ever-eloser rapprochement between the British and American people was echoed in his remarks, but between the two nations, he said, "a common inspiration must implement a common purpose." That Mr. Mac Donald's short visit to the United States lias assumed something in the nature of a personal triumph for him goes almost without saying. He has always appealed to the imagination of America, and his present visit unquestionably has intensified this appeal. Although the public is without tlie hard specific facts as to the exact nature of the preliminary understandings Mr. Mac Donald reached with President Roosevelt, nevertheless there is a full-hearted acceptance of the conclusion that he and Mr. Roosevelt have not only unselfishly worked for the common good, but have done so in a liberal spirit such as is always acceptable to the peoples of democracies. British Delegates Optimistic. The optimism of the British delegates as they left Washington was easily understood by observers who believe that Mr. Roosevelt's conversations with Mr. Mac Donald, and those under way with the French delegates, point toward truces on three important international questions. It is revealed at House that Mr. Roosevelt will request from Congress not only power to negotiate tariff treaties, but broad powers- to adjust war debts as well. Of course any adjustment could only be downward. Furthermore, they would make possible a moratorium covering the payments due on June 15. The second truce would be one in connection with the political turmoil in Europe. This reflects the disarmament policy of Messrs. Mac Donald and Roosevelt, and the apparent satisfaction of the French delegates. America will agree to an adequate consultative pact. M. Herriot is particularly pleased with Mr. Norman Davis' recent declaration at Geneva on that point. At a meeting of the French and American experts with the State Department the Department suggested a Customs truce from the day the London conference opens until it adjourns, during which time the nations should take no further steps to increase tariffs or quota restrictions. World Parley Success. If these three propositions work out as anticipated observers profess to have abundant hope of the political and economic success of the London conference. However smoothly* on the surface the political aspects of the situation have moved the complete official silence of. the French delegates does not hide the fact that difficulties over currencies have developed. It is felt that the further the experts delve into the international monetary stabilisation question the more complicated it becomes. The question of gold advances to the many countries whose lack of reserves precludes stabilisation without aid is regarded as likely to complicate the situation, as the only countries capable of making such advances are the United States and France. In both cases foreign loans are not popular at present. A more cheerful .view of the situation, however, is that a definite settlement of political troubles plus war debts would put France in a more receptive mood to make economic concessions in London. The high point of M. Herrjot's activities was a visit to the Capitol. In talks there Administration leaders reassured him as to the Parliamentary situation in spite of the renewed vigour of the fight over the Inflation Bill, the vote on which has been postponed until to-day. Several Government supporters in tho Senate have swung over to the Opposition, but the passage of the bill is still regarded as certain.

"OUT TO BARGAIN." MR. BENNETT AT WASHINGTON. NEW YORK, April 27. The Washington correspondent of the "New York Times" says: It became more and more apparent yesterday that the Prime Minister of Canada, Mr. R. B. Bennett, has come to Washington prepared to do some real bargaining with Mr. Roosevelt on the subject of trade between the United States and Canada. This being so the Administration became extremely cautious lest the impression should get abroad that the parley with the Canadian representative would result in specific agreements not contemplated in the original plan for the pre-London discussions. It became definitely known, too, that the relaxation of the Canadian Customs' administrative methods, which have operated to an even greater extent than import duties or reduced purchasing power to close the Canadian markets to , United States exports, will be a specific concession asked from Mr. Bennett while he is here. However, it is suggested that any actual agreements should be left to the ordinary offices of diplomatic intercourse or, if desirable, to the World Economic Conference itself. The impression prevails in Washington that Mr. Bennett is "ready to trade horses." He has readily agreed that there is nothing in the Ottawa agreements which precludes the possibility of a trade understanding between the United States and Canada.