NO POLICY CHANGES LIKELY IN PARLEYS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 283, 29 November 1937, Page 7

NO POLICY CHANGES LIKELY IN PARLEYS.

FRANCE AND BRITAIN.

Wide Range of Problems Under Survey.

EXCHANGEB IN LONDON. British Official Wlml««s. p.m.) RUGBY, November 28. A wide range of international questions will be surveyed in the talks between M. C'hautemps, French Prime Minister, and M. Delbos, Foreign Minister, and members of the British Ministry, which begin in London tomorrow. NO change, however, in the fundamentals of British or French foreign policy is expected.

It is noted with satisfaction that Brrliu fully recognise* the desirability of con versa t inns, and it may be eniphasiscd I hut where the talks concern European questions their purpose'will be to examine the possibility of bringing closer the Merlin Rome axis and the special relationship existing between Hiita'm and France—but not at the expense of any other party.

The French Ministers will hear from Viscount Halifax his own account of his visit to Germany. While the question nf colonics is expected to be discussed it. should be home in mind that this complex question affects countries not represented at the talks, for example, HcljHiim and three Dominions.

Apart altogether from matters in which I formally is especially interested, there will be other important questions upon which an exchange of views will. it is believed, prove valuable. One relates to Spain.

Of more serious and immediate importance, however, is the Far Eastern situation and the threatened interference with Chinese Customs service at Shanghai. There will probably, therefore, be a disposition at the meeting to recognise that the threat of war in Europe is not immediate, and to try to use that factor to reduce the risk of war elsewhere and nnikp progress towards general appeasement.

A cable message states that M. Chautemps and M. Delbos left Paris for Ixmdon accompanied by M. Alexis Leger, former Minister to China and director of the Foreign Office Asiatic Department. It is understood that Britain will not announce fundamental changesin foreign policy nor ask France to change hers.

Shanghai and the Far East, which is the main point in international tension, will be fully discussed.