EFFORTS FOR AIR PACT BEING CONTINUED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 127, 31 May 1935, Page 7

EFFORTS FOR AIR PACT BEING CONTINUED.

WITHIN LOCARNO.

German Proposals Handed

To Britain.

DISCUSSION BY POWERS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, May 30. Chief interest in the foreign affairs debate, which will take place in the House of Commons to-morrow, is centred in the speech which will be delivered by Sir John Simon who, it is anticipated, will give information regarding the position of the proposed air pact for Western Europe between the Locarno Powers. The project' was first put forward in the declaration by Britain and France of February 3 with the objcct of reinforcing peace. It was stated that Italy, Germany and Belgium were to be invited to consider with them whether such a convention might not be promptly negotiated. The proposal was accordingly one of the subjects discussed during tlie visit of Sir John Simon and Mr. Anthony Eden to Berlin and later at the Stresa Conference. It was agreed to continue the study of the question with a view to drafting an air pact with the five Powers mentioned in the London communique, and of any bilateral agreements which might accompany it. The British Government has since made the promotion of an air pact one of the objects of its most earnest endeavour. It is known that a draft pact has been prepared by the British Government for discussion, and yesterday Germany's proposals for a pact were handed to Sir John Simon by the German Ambassador. It is understood the German Government is in communication with the other Powers concerned, and it is presumed that this draft has been communicated to them.