PEACEFUL AIMS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 93, 19 April 1940, Page 7

PEACEFUL AIMS.

BRITISH POLICY. Government Talks With Balkan Representatives. WISH FOR CO-OPERATION. i British Official Wirek-ss. (Rewlvcil noon.) ® RI'UBY, April IK. Tn the House of Commons, the Prime Minister made a brief statement concerning the discussions which had been taking place between the Government and British representatives in south-eastern Europe, who have now returned or are returning to their posts.

Mr. Chamberlain added: '"These consultations, which have now been concluded, have afforded evidence of the close interest which the British (.overnineut takes in the countries concerned.

"The purpose of the- di-ni-.-i.m has been in accordance with the (•overunient's .settled policy uf promotion of security in liulkau and Uunubian countries. Not one ol llwrse States, between whom it i> the deViro of the Allies to see the growth of mutual understanding, haa any cause of fear that the Allies or their forces will ever threaten their independence or integrity.

'"In the economic field the discussions l*ave liecn conducted on the basis that it is the policy of the British tJo\eminent so to develop their relations with these eountrirs ;;.-. to a< far as possible, a lasting increase in their commercial exchanges with them."'

Mr. Chamberlain also stated thai the representatives, who had al«i been assisted in tiie discus:-ion with the Government by the presence in London of the BritMi Ambassadors in Koine and Moscow, had an opportunity of hearing from Viscount Suiiitoii some account of the new commercial corporation and the work which the corporation intends to carry out in order to develop and place permanently on a broader basis trade exchanges between this country and south-caatern European States.