WORLD TRADE PROPOSALS

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24744, 8 December 1945, Page 7

WORLD TRADE PROPOSALS

I LOWERING TRADE BARRIERS

Effect On Empire Preferences ATTLEE WELCOMES U.S. MOVE

J (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) |ec. 12.5 a.m.) LONDON, December 7. I; ‘? he mal^ s Clear that we ’ Pursuit of the pjectives of Ai tide 7 of the Mutual Trade Agreement, are ready i agree that the existing system of Empire preferences will be Intracted, provided there is adequate compensation in the form if ah improvement in trading conditions between the Common|yth and Empire and the rest of the world,” said Mr Attlee y, the House of Commons, when he welcomed the United States proposals for an international conference on hade and emnloyiient These proposals were issued in a Washington White fa per, with the announcement of the American loan to Britain. |j The Prime Minister added that the Washington talks pre|diiig the publication of the United States document had been inducted on behalf of Britain alone, although close touch had ieen’kept with the Commonwealth partners during the conversations. | “It is quite understood that each Government concerned im b® able t0 approach the international discussions with full ledom of action,” he said. Mr Attlee added that the United States suggestions would subjected to full discusions before a final agreement was ched, but the Government desired to express its agreement hj the broad objectives, which were to draw up a code of con:t for international commerce and facilitate its expansion in er to secure as far as possible' full employment at rising idards of living in all countries participating in the scheme. r Attlee declared that the docu- It must be realised that some prefer - t recognised the fundamental fact ences were of particular importance it-was essential to clear obstacles to economy of certain parts of the jprav from the British export of manu- were important f jctured goods without abandoning the ferences would beTuch a°step as woufd right to control imports so long require a substantial and widespread t --! this .was essential to Britain s reduction in tariff and trade barriers balance oi international payments. by large numbers of countries. pointed out that there was no The Government earnestly hoped pjiestioti of the unilateral surrender that all the countries! participating in iC.I preferences. There must be ade- the international meetings would make gjate compensation for all parties con- concessions in their existing tariff barpjsrned. - ‘ rlers as a lead to mutua] satisfaction.

jj| The' United States White Paper issued is a necessary supplement to the fiith. the loan announcement proposes United Nations organisation's efforts Sllat the nations of the world act col- to prevent military warfare, gctively to break down international fourglSStoV"- * CUrtailed by glade barriers and promote fail em- « (1) Government'restrictions such as oymeht. tariffs, export licenses, import quotas, Although conceding that no govern- and exchange controls; (2) restrictions rat is% ready to embrace free trade by private combines and cartels which any absolute sense, the White divide the world into exclusive mariner proposes that the nations make kets, stifle competition, keep prices up, determined start in that direction in, and keep production down. e following ways:— "(3) Fear of violent sudden changes _ (1) An international conference on in the demand for, and supply of cerjj/'trade and employment, to be con- tain primary commodities. ?- : vened next summer under United "(4) Wide fluctuations and the fear *;■; Nations sponsorship. of these in production and employiv] (2) A permanent international ment." II trade organisation to be established The White Paper further proposes M under the United Nations as a cen- that negotiations" for the widespread jjipal agency for promoting world reduction of tariffs and other govern- £| trade. ment-imposed barriers be started in $ The White Paper says: "Collective advance, of the international conferi|lciion to prevent economic warfare ence.