VALUABLE SPEECH

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 85, 7 October 1936, Page 12

VALUABLE SPEECH

MR. BRUCE AT GENEVA

WORLD'S ECONOMIC ILLS

CONSULTATIVE BODY

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. . . (Received October 7, 2.30 p.m.) I * GENEVA, October .6. Mr. Stanley Bruce (Australia) suggested that the League Assembly should authorise the Council to appoint from the Economic and Financial Committees a small consultative body with power to co-opt members from outside, for instance, the United States, which could act as a focal point for the investigation-of economic problems when required. Mr. Bruce, however, stressed that the first steps should be taken up by the Great Powers, especially the creditor Powers. Mr. Bruce added that he considered that Mr. W. S. Morrison, Financial Secretary to the British Treasury, had over-stressed the importance of acting slowly as time was now of the utmost importance. "~ The special representative of the Australian Associated Press agency says that although the personnel of the Economic Committee is outstanding, I Mr. Bruce's speech is generally regarded as the most valuable contribution thus far. It is generally regretted that Aus-, tralia is no longer a rngmber of the League Council, as not only Mr. Bruce, but also Mr. F. L. McDougalland the other permanent. Australian delegates rendered very great service to the League. • ... ' ' ' GREAT INFLUENCE. Australia's work inthe field of nutrition and economics was outstanding in its results,' and Australia's influence on League affairs was probably greater than- that of ■ any ■' other Dominion. The French and-British delegations presented a- resolution, to 'the Second Committee ' urgently ' recommending States to organise immediately determined arid continuous-action to reduce the excessive, obstacles to international trade, and especially to. relax and, as soon as possible, abolish -the present system :of quotas ; and: exchange controls. : . . . The Fifth Committee met this' afternoon and discussed the opium traffic and the improvement of the conditions of' prisoners.