LEAGUE'S PART.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 16, 20 January 1939, Page 9

LEAGUE'S PART.

WORLD PROBLEMS. CGMWIENT BY MR. S. M. BRUCE OOliblAli tT.S.A. ATTITUDE. The opinion that from tlie economic standpoint there was great hope that the League of Nations might accomplish something useful, hut on the political side it was impossible to look to the League for any solution of present world problem*, was e.tprcswed this morning bv Mr. S. if. Bruce, Australian Hi<ih Commissioner in Loudon, who arrived by the Mariposa' from Sail Francisco. Jin Bruce, wlio in accompanied by his wife and private secretary, >lr. ,j. I). L. Hood, is a through passenger to the Commonwealth, where he proposes to earrv on discussions with memliers of the Government, both Federal and State, and all sections of the community with the object of learning at firsthand the jfcneral position in Australia, Four and a half years have "lapsed since Mr. Bruce was last in Australia, and he has undertaken his present mission in order better to understand Hint, country's re<|iiireuients in view of the fact that from last October he has undertaken another five years as High Commissioner. "I would have come olit to Australia sooner, but for the Czechoslovakia)! crisis," said Mr. BrUee. "and just how long t will remain in the Commonwealth is dependent .011 how long it takes to go round. [ propose to visit all the States and to see everybody possible, irrespective of their politics, including representatives of labour organisations and the chambers of commerce. On the occasion of mv last visit to the Commonwealth, I found it very useful to establish contact with everybody, and I intend to follow very much the same programme this time," Mr. Bruce has been conducting parleys in Washington regarding trade lietween the United States and Australia, hut he explained that he did not «o to America with the idea of conducting negotiations on ft definite plan, lte happened to be travelling back Tin America, and availed himself of the opportunity of getting the United States' atmosphere concerning international affairs and its attitude with respect to Australia's trade agreement so that he could advise the authorities in Australia as to the position. Among officials he had seen' in America wfls President Roosevelt, and he had found the American attitude very cordial, particularly as it related to' Australia and Sc\y Zealand.

Wurlfl Events and U.S A. "Everywhere one <r,»cs id America he finds increasing appreciation of tile fact that the t'nifed States cannot dissociate itself from world events and haptiehings," added Mr. Mruce. "That, of course, was very markedly shown by President Hoosevelt's recent utterances, and the big rearmament programme which he has recommended to Congress. I think you can take it that puhlij opinion is pointing very much in the direction that America'can no longer stand aloof from the general trend of world events." Questioned concerning the League of Nations, .Mr. WrUce said that at the moment it was playing a very considerable part from the economic print, of view. There was a lot of valuable work to be done by the League, and he thought that Work Would conti lik' to grow. The League, indeed. Was playing its part in an economic WaV. On that side there is great hope that it maV he able to do something Useful," lie added, "but on "the political side it is impossible to look to *he League for any solution of present world problems." Mr. Bruce said that lie was surprised at the misunderstanding which existed in the Cnited State* with respect to

the events which led lip to the Munich agreement, but by "talks off the record" with administrative heads and -discussions with individuals, he had been able to clarify the position. Mr. Bruce, however, was not prepared to amplify his remarks In connection with his. talks for publication. Conversion of Loans. "\A e have completed our job for the time Ileitis," said Mr. Bruce** irt referring to the conversion of Australian loans which were due for renewal. "We have converted over £211(1,000,000 ill loans -i"ce 1 have been in London, and for the moment we have no loans falling due. We had a small operation, which was reaching maturity—a loan of .£2..>oo,ooo —and which I attended to before leaving for Australia, but we have nothing more in 103». We have a fair number of options coming in 1940, and we will exercise them if necessary. The transactions carried through have saved the Commonwealth over £.1,000,000 ft year in interest, and the figure is getting up to £4,000,000 in Australian currency. Mr. ftruee was welcomed altoard the Mariposa by Mr. C. A. Furlong, of the Internal Affairs Department, Mr, «T. Melllng. town clerk of Auckland, and Mr. W. .1. H. Wilcox, of the Australian Travel Association, and after a drive round the city in company with Mrs. Bruce he attended a State luncheon at. the fJrand Hotel. He will continue his voyage th Sydney by the Mariposa this .evening. The distinguished visitor has represented the Commonwealth in Great Britain for sis years, first as Minister and then as High Commissioner, and he has rendered such notable service that his reappointment was almost a matter of course. The authority which he en joyed as ft former Prime Minister and Minister of Kxternal Affairs has been steadily increased 1»y hift achievements and by his personal qualities, which have mflde him an outstanding figure in the public life of the British community of nations, as well as a sturdy and effective repres^nthtive of Australian interests. The mission which he performed in converting .Vistralian loans was otie for whi<-h lie proved himself particularly fitted, and the part lie played in the Ottawa Conference, in the World Economic Conference and in the OeneVa meetings of the League of Nations, and on other occasions equally as important, has won for him a place of hish standing as a citizen of the Kie' '"e and of the worldi