TRADE AND, JOBS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21923, 18 January 1946, Page 4

TRADE AND, JOBS

U.S. PROPOSALS

INTERNATIONAL TALKS

N.Z. DELEGATION

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Jan. 17. Proposals put forward by the United States Government as a basis for discussion at the international conference on trade and employment were referred to again to-day by the acting Prime Minister, Mr. W. Nash, who recalled that in his statement of December 8 lie had stated that as soon as the full text of the proposals was available he would arrange for its publication so that they might be studied by all who were interested.

An official copy of the proposals as transmitted to the New Zealand Legation in Washington had since come to hand and the proposals had been embodied in a Department of External Affairs publication, which would bo .available in a day or so through the usual distribution channels. Mr. Nash stated that he hoped all thinking men and women in the country would study the proposals 'carefully since they dealt with matters which were vital to the future economic well-being of New Zealand. Referring to the conference arrangements generally, Mr. Nash stated that the present plans as submitted by the United States Government provided for a full international conference to discuss the proposals in June next. Preliminary Meeting

Prior to the full international conference,. it was intended that there should be a preliminary meeting in March or April at a place not yet determined. The purposes .->£ the preliminary meeting would be:

(1) To negotiate for consideration at the full conference of concrete arrangements for the *eiaxation of tariffs and trade barriers of all kinds which • would command the support of the Governments attending the conference.. (2) To consult and reach such preliminary understandings as might be practicable With regard to the proposed agenda for the f. 11 conference.

This agenda would include consideration of the United States’ proposals, which envisage the setting up of an international trade organisation, the members of which would undertake to abide by certain commercial principles. These principles are outlined in the text proposals and would be incorporated in the articles af the international trade organisation. Fifteen countries had been invited to the preliminary meeting, continued Mr. Nash. In addition to New Zealand, they consisted of Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, France, India, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Africa, the United Kigdom, and Russia. Mr. Nash Will Head Delegation ' Mr. Nash stated that New Zealand had formally accepted the invitation and he would announce the personnel of the delegation in due course. It would be headed by himself as Minister of Finance and Customs. There would probably be a prior conference between the members of the British Commonwealth to discuss the issues involved in the proposals, Mr. Nash said he had nothing further to add at present on New Zealand’s attitude to the proposals beyond what was contained in his statement of December 8, except to repeat that, the fullest attention would be given to the principles and details of each proposal as it would be likely to affect New. Zealand and in particular the Government’s policy of full employment—the maintenance and expansion of living standards within New Zealand—and the fullest co-operation and assistance towards the success of like policies in all countries.