TRADE WITH U.S.A.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 84, 10 April 1937, Page 9

TRADE WITH U.S.A.

Will Mr. Baldwin Accept Hint

From America?

CO-OPERATION WITH EMPIRE.

British Official Wireless. RUGBY, April 9. Attention of the Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, was drawn in the House of Commons to a speech by the United States Secretary of State, Mr. Cordell Hull, urging the need for increased economic co-operation between the nations. Mr. Baldwin was asked if he would consider extending the agenda of the Imperial Conference to include the question. The Prime Minister replied that the scope of the agenda was sufficiently wide to admit of a general discussion on the matter if delegates so desired. Xo approach has been made to Britain by other Governments in regard to possibility of an international agreement on trade matters, said Mr. Baldwin. Informal exchanges of views had, however, taken place.

The British Government had inquired of the Belgian Prime Minister, Dr. van Zeeland, whether he would be willing to undertake a preliminary .nformal investigation in various countries as to the possibility of securing a general relaxation of quotas and other obstacles to international trade. Dr. van Zeeland said he was disposed to accept this invitation. Xo international conference! at present was envisaged, but Mr. Baldwin was understood to indicate that the proposed inquiries would include the possibility of lowering tariff barriers.