CONNECTION STRESSED

Evening Post, Volume CXIX, Issue 34, 9 February 1935, Page 9

CONNECTION STRESSED

POLITICS AND BUSINESS

SIR JOHN SIMON IN PARIS

;-; (BriUsii.Offlclaiwtreless:) -£•■'" (Received February 9,'_ li a.m.)

-. : ■:.■:: RUGBY, February 8. . The Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, flew this afternoon from Croydon to. J^aris; tor atterid; a.banquet of the British' Chamber of "Commerce in fulfilment of an engagement made .many weeks ago; " ' *■.:;•. ;

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary to the Board of Trade,, Dr. L.Burgin, was the guest at a corresponding dinner last year. The engagement, which Sir John Simon is keeping wasjinade many - 'weeks ago arid has no connection ;with the recent Anglo-French 'conversations. The Foreign Secretary will-return to Londonon -'Saturday., ... ■■} ,'■■', ■;,'.'^, ; : In .the course of his speech he said that he was glad to follbV the tradition under, which a. member/ of the British Government endeavoured to attend this annual function. "It. was with the subject- of .Anglo-French commercial relations that, the ch&mber=-t/wasicon-cerned," but-it;was^ always; well ip bear in mind the connection between' political, conditions' and. commercial relations. Europe* was suffering from economic',. paralysis largely due to political uncertainties and to!. political fears. Business depended upon) confidence and nothing :w6uld' v dp; so much to .restore commercial 'cbnfiijence in Europe 'as the; bringing; abbut-bf 'political appeasement "arid''good understanding between nations arid; the removal of those suspicions, and uncertainties which business- ■ men hesitate* when they.-wbuld like to be bold,1, and which.. Hampered ■ international': tradeV :!iv::;' lKr'; ' Jl '■ ' ■-• ': ■ ' WHAT ii6NDON ACHIEVED. Hei.cbuld not let the-occasion pass "without saying with'1 what -pleasure they in London received the yisit of the French :MiriisterS a' few-days ago. "We believe wethen;did -good, work together, good -virork not., merely for our two countries, but good work for the world and good work for peace. Tfiat work is not work directed against any other country.:: : are not'- aiming at some limited understanding, but are seeking to" promote the peace and well-being of all by putting forward suggestions as the: basis: for free' arid equal 'negotiations:-between -;all" concerned in order that the-structure of peace may rest* on the surest.' and wisest, foundations: If it .is recognised that we are working together,in that spirit and if others whom .we.' invite toconsult with iis \yill* maketheir' contribution, in the;same comprehending spirit, then I believe that in 1935 we may see a great advance towards the establishment of those conditions upon which political confidence and commercial prosperity'depend.", ;■ ;,