BUSY COOKS AT OTTAWA

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 27, 1 August 1932, Page 8

BUSY COOKS AT OTTAWA

ALL INGREDIENTS READY

BUT WHERE IS THE GAS •?

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright.' (Ecceived Ist August, 2 p.m.)

OTTAWA, 31st July. The cooks who are busy at Ottawa preparing the Empire meal have not yet solved the problem regarding all ingredients. They do not expect a lavish banquet; they are concerned merely with providing an honest working man's dinnerT They consider they have already solved the butter problem There is no difficulty about bread, because the wheat farmer has produced abundantly. Eegarding meat, they have the roast ready in the pan. Assorted fruits adorn the sideboard. The only question that remains is: Can we provide the gas for the cooking stove?"—in other words, that is the currency problem. Thyre is a bountiful suppty of everything a hungry man needs. Can he have it? Can Ottawa put a starving Empire in a position to purchase its meal? A MYSTERIOUS PLAN. The early stages, of the discussion of the monetary problem indicate that it is probably wise that the Conference holiday arrangements will give time for the incubation of the ideas, which have been outlined. Thd utmost secrecy is observed regarding the trend of suggested action,' because, if any hint were disclosed, it might conceivably embarrass Britain, if it involved a volte-face or amendment of the original proposals at the Dominions' behest. Moreover, premature .predictions of a final scheme might entail world-wide11 repercussions. If the policy adopted meant a. general curtailment of production it is difficult to imagine what would happen. ECONOMISTS TO THE FORE. The economists are walking' the corridors with a consciously important air. They have now taken their places under the spotlights down stage. Everybody in the select audience is weighing their words. Even if, as is anticipated, the preliminary currency speeches are released on Tuesday in an abridged form, they will not contain a single word of the plan now being discussed. They merely, outline the sorry plight of the Dominions and also embrace a review of Britain's- returning financial health. They will show that Australia and India have developed a common tie out of common distress. > Tho present interregnum on official business does not mean a complete stoppage of progress. On the other hand, it means accelerated activity on tho part of the > sub-committee reviewing/currency problems. CURRENCY QUESTIONS. These experts are accomplishing really effective work at the week-end. They have been asked two questions: (1) Is it advisable and practicable to raise commodity prices? If so, how! (2) Is it advisable and practicable -to stabilise exchanges? If so, how?

It is agreed that answers cannot bo furnished within a few days. The report will involve the most serious consideration of any subject before the Conference. The heads of the delegations, especially the British, realise their deep responsibility and are unlikely ■ to, make any essential progress towards a decision until next week after returning from the Niagara trip.