Greymouth Evening Star. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1945. ANGLO-U.S.A. DEAL.

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 December 1945, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1945. ANGLO-U.S.A. DEAL.

’'J’YPICAL of the protracted negotiations in connjection Avith the U.S.A.-Bri-tain loan and credit agreement, the statement issued for Press publication was verbose and detailed to an extent that must have deterred many people from reading it, and perhaps not all the more patient others fully comprehended just Avhat each clause meant. AU however,! will, be gratified that despite pessimistic, reports and forecasts, the Anglo-U.S.A.j talks proved successful, and a difficult’ task was well accomplished. The next] move is for Congress, and it is believed that after some show of opposition, the agreement will be ratified, and Britain will be given a needed respite. The general terms of the deal seem reasonably generous, but above the relief felt that Britain will receive practical aid in her struggle io restore her fortunes lost through big Avar efforts, Avill be the gladness that U.S.A.-British relations have been considerably improved by this ability to agree Avhen dispute Avas so easy. Had the Washington talks failed to secure their objective, Britain and U.S.A. Avould have been faced Avith a Avar betAveen the dollar and sterling, and keen competition would have ensued in world trade. Resentment with U.S.A. failing to realise that co-opera-tion with Britain was a duty as well as self-interest, Avould ; havk added to the friction, and the possibilities of the effects on trade and foreign policy would not be pleasant to contemplate. Instead, the ucav agreement must bind the tAVO nations closer, and this is the best hope for their own future prosperity and for world

peace. If some estimate that U.S.A, could have been even more generous without serious loss, it must be remembered that many Americans are still sore through the failure of Britain to repay her borrowings from U.S.A, during the war of 1914-18. No useful purpose would be served by going into the pros, and cons, of that controversy, but the American viewpoint should not be discussed as unworthy of consideration. What they regarded as Britain’s default did not inspire the Americans to be lavishly generous on this occasion, and the fact that an agreement was reached proves how far "the Americans have travelled in the path of international co-operation and acceptance of responsibility for the burdens of others. It is to be hoped that the respective pinpricks indulged in by the British and Americans about each other’s standards and decisions will be kept at

a minimum, and that there will be a more ready acknowledgment of the good that is in both nations.

The success at Washington must be regarded as a triumph for Britain’s Labour Government, and Mr. Attlee in particular. His mission to Washington and later'to Ottawa -must have influenced the final decisions, and he and his Ministerial colleagues arc entitled to take the eiedit due. . The British Parliament will, of course, have to ratify the agreement, and the debate may tempt some critics to go beyond what is judicious. There is no question of n on-ratification as Ihc Government’s majority assures the Commons’ acceptance, but mischief might be. caused if opponents in U.S.A, were given! propaganda material. The Conservatives have had their opportunity of candour about Government policy at home, the censure motion being heavily defeated, with Mr. Attlee holding his own in the debate with Mr. Churchill. The same national unity in connection with, foreign affairs is desirable in discussing the U.S.A.-Britain loan and credits deal, which is but the opening of a new commercial era.