“ONE GLEAM OF SANITY”

Evening Star, Issue 23123, 24 November 1938, Page 13

“ONE GLEAM OF SANITY”

AHGUHUHERIGAN TRADE PAST SUPPLEMENTARY TO OTTAWA SIMILAR IDEALS IN BRITAIN, UNITED STATES. AND CANADA (British Official Wireless.) Press Association —By Telegraph—Copyright RUGBY, November 22. Mr Oliver Stanley, President of the Board of Trade, addressing tho Canadian Chamber of Commerce, described the new trade agreements with tho United States as one gleam of sanity in a world which was rapidly qualifying for Bedlam. Tho agreements were not in Ids view inconsistent with, but supplementary to Ottawa, which was never meant to show other countries tho tragic sight of the closed door. Proceeding, he said that when the King next summer visited Canada and the United States lie would find much that was the same in all three countries —namely, common ideals of toleration, moderation, and of'agreement, a common desire for justice for all and security for all, and a common belief in the individual, with all his desires for happiness, peace, and freedom. It was no business of ours what other people adopted as their own creeds, but when they were alien to our characteristics and detestable to our ideals, then surely we were entitled to say at the right time; “Thus far and no further.” AGREEMENT WITH INDIA. The negotiations for a new trade agreement with India have reached an advanced stage. The whole matter is at the moment under consideration by tho Government of India as the result of its recent discussions with its unofficial advisers. In giving this information to the House of Commons Mr, Stanley added that he hoped active negotiations would bo resumed shortly, MOST FAVOURED NATION CLAUSE. The mpst favoured nation clause figured in several House of Commons questions addressed to Mr Stanley. In explaining his unwillingness to accept tho suggestion for abrogation of the clause in all treaties, Mr Stanley restated the considered view of Britain that general maintenance of tho principle of most favoured nation treatment was essential for the stability of commercial relations. He added a warning, however, to the effect that Britain would not propose that such treatment should be accorded indefinitely to any country which was not prepared to meet reasonable requirements regarding the treatment of Britain. In another speech he said the concessions accorded by Britain to the United States would be extended equally to all other foreign countries, and he understood that the concessions accorded by tho United States to Britain would be extended equally to all foreign countries with the exception of Germany. Mr Stanley said there were trade negotiations with Czechoslovakia in progress or contemplation, and when further questioned he replied: “Had it been likely we could have made a successful treaty with Czechoslovakia no doubt we should have done so, but we did not think there was any basis for such a treaty.” NEGOTIATIONS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES PRELIMINARY DISCUSSIONS. NEW,YORK, November 3. The Washington correspondent of the ‘ New York Times ’ says Mr Cordell Hull began informal preliminary discussions with Peru and Argentina regarding the possibility of negotiations for reciprocal agreements. The Secretary of State emphasised to the Press that no conclusions have been reached and that consideration is being given similarly to negotiations with other countries. At present formal negotiations are proceeding with Venezuela and Turkey.