ATTLEE STRESSES DIFFICULT WORLD SITUATION

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 October 1948, Page 5

ATTLEE STRESSES DIFFICULT WORLD SITUATION

(Recd. 11:50 a.m.) LONDON, Oct. 11. In the difficult times through which the world was passing, it behoved those who were inspired by the same ideals to get together, said Mr Attlee, in a broadcast welcome to the representatives attending the Commonwealth talks. “We in the Commonwealth are united in a common objective—the establishment of peace and the building of the prosperity of our peoples,” he said. “We are assisted by our common faith in democracy and freedom. Our Commonwealth of free, equal, sovereign nations, freely operating for common ends, is a great stabilising factor in the world' today. I am sure our conference will be followed in the thoughts and prayers of all men and women of goodwill.” Frank Exchange Of Views

Mr Attlee said: “The purpose of this gathering is to have a full and frank exchange of views on major matters, which are of common concern to the countries of the Commonwealth. The proceedings are not very formal and we do not seek to pass a large number of detailed resolutions. Rather we are taking this opportunity for getting to understand more closely one another. A good deal of time will therefore be spent in informal meetings and discussions.”

The second session of the conference will probably be held on October 13 and will be devoted to hearing the views and desires of the Commonwealth Ministers.

Imports From Sterling Areas One factor, which clearly emerged today, was the desire of all the Commonwealth countries to buy imports as far as possible from the sterling areas, which, however, cannot provide all the goods that are needed. Another outstanding factor was the very clear need for capital goods in the Commonwealth among both the most developed and the least developed areas. It was clear that this was a very urgent problem, and it will be discussed in greater detail, partly* between the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stafford Cripps, and the Commonwealth representatives and partly at the resumed meeting on October 13.

One of the themes, both of Sir Stafford Cripps’s statement and the discussion which followed was intercommunication between the British Commonwealth, the Western European Union and the Western hemisphere. It is understood that questions of customs unions and Imperial preference will be discussed at later meetings. The conference on October 14 will begin its review of foreign affairs, when the Foreign Minister _ (Mr Ernest Bevin) will open the discussion. This consideration of international problems will be continued next week. Future Form Of Empire

The fact that any particular subject is not on the agenda for the plen-

ary sessions does not preclude its introduction into these sessions. Reuter’s political correspondent says that one of the subjects which has not been scheduled for a plenary session, but which may be raised in informal discussion among individual Prime Ministers, is any future modification of the present conception of the Commonwealth.

The British Government, which has equal status and nothing more within the conference, has no authority whatever over the group discussions that may be inaugurated by individual Prime Ministers. At this. stage it is, therefore, impossible to say whether such matters as the remaining differences between India and Pakistan or the question of the Indian minority in South Africa will engage attention at plenary session level,

Traditional Attitude

It is the tradition of such conferences that, unless by the express desire of all the delegates, no matter capable of provoking an acute general Commonwealth controversy is debated at a plenary session. The heads of the Dominion delegations will dine with His Majesty tomorrow and with Mr Attlee on October 21.