MR CHIFLEY BACK FROM LONDON

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25550, 19 July 1948, Page 7

MR CHIFLEY BACK FROM LONDON

Warning About Dollar Supplies “LONG, HARD ROAD AHEAD” (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 12.30 a.m.) SYDNEY, July 18. The Federal Prime Minister (Mr Chifley) returned to Australia to-day from London. Speaking to-reporters in Sydney, Mr Chifley said that although the dollar question had dominated his London discussions, it should be clearly understood that he did not go to London to beg for dollars, but was anxious to ascertain how the policies of both the Australian and British Governments could be executed, and also to see whether Australia could be assured of the availability of United Kingdom goods in the light of the United Kingdom’s bilateral agreements with other countries. Mr Chifley said that the European recovery programme made no provision for Dominion dollar deficits. It was even doubtful whether it provided for United Kingdom dollar deficits. Unfortunately, it was not possible to determine with any exactitude the United Kingdom’s or Australia’s dollarearning capacity. It was certain, however, that there was a long, hard road ahead. Neither Australia nor the United Kingdom-could solve the dollar problem on a short-term basis. Mr Chifley said that, although dollar spending this year had already been reduced, it would be reduced a great deal more next year. Increased production was a problem Australia must solve, not only to get increased goods for herself, but to enable increased assistance to the United Kingdom. It seemed inevitable that overtime must be worked in Australia to achieve that result.