THE LONDON PRESS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 122, 19 November 1938, Page 9

THE LONDON PRESS

UNANIMOUS APPROVAL

(British Official Wireless.) . (Received November 19, 10 a.m.) RUGBY, November 18 Unanimous approval by the Press ts i accorded the Anglo-American and 'Canadian-American agreements. Comment on the Anglo-American

agreement is enthusiastic. "This splendid agreement" is the heading of the "Daily Mail's" leader, and the "News Chronicle" describes the agreement as the most important commercial treaty ever concluded by Britain with a foreign Power.

"The Times" says that both Governments and their technical advisers are to be congratulated upon the importance of the mutual concessions which they have been able to make ■ and which, apart from their value in giving a lead in reduction of tariff obstacles, should prove of direct benefit to the two countries by stimulating the exchange of goods between them

Referring to the negotiation on parallel lines of the American-Cana-dian agreement "The Times" says:— "Some of the concessions made by Britain have reduced the value of the preferences guaranteed to Canada by the Ottawa Agreement, and it was necessary to seek compensation in the American market. Other Dominions were affected in a similar way, though not perhaps to the same extent. They did not attempt to negotiate parallel agreements, but were consulted at every turn in the negotiations which might affect their interests. The British Government negotiated on behalf of Newfoundland and the Colonial Empire as well as Britain. The inclusion of the colonies and the active co-operation of the Dominions and Indian Governments in all the discussions give the agreement the character of a joint effort by the United States and the whole British Commonwealth to promote a revival of world trade."

The "Daily Telegraph" says:—"There can be no doubt that this agreement is by far the most powerful assault yet made on the tremendous barriers against international trade erected during the depression."