AGENDA DRAWN UP FOR DOLLAR CRISIS TALKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 September 1949, Page 5

AGENDA DRAWN UP FOR DOLLAR CRISIS TALKS

WASHINGTON, September 2 (Rec. 1 p.m.).—The United Kingdom, the United States and Canadian experts today agreed on the draft agenda for the three-Power economic conference opening on Wednesday next. It will include the following: — 1. An appraisal of the balance of payments difficulties between the dollar and sterling areas and consideration of what measures might be taken to remedy these difficulties by the three countries. 2. A general discussion of the sterling area’s position and prospects. 3. The sterling area’s dollar earnings and the relationship to these of production costs and tariffs. 4. The possibilities for the investment of American capital in the sterling area.

5. Increased American purchases in the sterling area of oil, tin, rubber, and other primary products for stock piling in the United States. 6. Consideration of the way in which the International Monetary Fund can assist in resolving the dollar shortage. 7. The basic conditions for multilateralism and progress toward the convertability of currency. Asked whether this agenda would allow for a discussion on the devaluation of the pound sterling, officials declined to comment. They said the Secretary of the Treasure Mr Snyder, had repeatedly emphasised.that the American delegation would not raise the question.