The Hawera Star. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1924. THE LONDON CONFERENCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 20 August 1924, Page 4

The Hawera Star.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1924. THE LONDON CONFERENCE.

Delivered e?«ry evening by & o’clock in Ha-wen Manaia. N^rmanby. Okaiawa, Eltham. Pate*., Waverley, Mokoia, WLakamara. Onangai, Merecaere. Fraser Boad. and Otakeuc, Hanutabi, Alton,' Hurleyville, Mangatoki, Ra pongs, Awatuna, Opunake,

I'lie London Conference, which lias been engaged upon tHe great and difficult problems of Europe, has undoubtedly achieved noteworthy success, and the delegates can point to a number of definite decisions and agreements arrived at after long hours of hard thinking and arbitration. After years of wrestling with the problem of reparations the main allies in the war against. Germany failed to reach an understanding, and in January of last year the Paris Conference broke down, and France, led by the great Nationalist M. Poincare, decided to pursue an independent policy, much to the regret of Britain, who saw much difficulty and danger in the course which her friend was about to take. Every effort was made to show France the unwisdom of her policy, but she refused to be dissuaded, and the Ruhr occupation was undertaken, with poor results, as France knows. With the object of finding a new basis for settlement upon lines fair to both Germany and the Allies, a searching and careful investigation was made by the experts committee, and the Dawes Report was the outcome. When its contents were made known they were regarded very favourably by British leaders, and France and Germany showed that they were disposed to accept the report in general, though they desired some changes in the details. Just at the time the German elections were held, and the results caused considerable doubt as to what attitude the new Government would adopt and as to the prospects of its being strong enough to withstand the opponents of the Dawes plan. In France elections were also held, and M. Poincare was defeated by a comparatively small majority, again leav-

ing much room lor doubt and speculation as tO' the prospects of a settlethe reparations problem. The British attitude lias never been in doubt, and whether Mr. Lloyd George. Mr. Baldwin or Mr. MacDonald was Premier, the desire of the nation has been to find a settlement and to’ place Europe on the path leading to reconstruction and restoration. British statesmen have watched with grave anxiety the conditions which have developed in Europe, and realising the urgent necessity to bring about better relationships and a settlement of the question of reparations, the London Conference was called, in the hope that an agreement would he reached upon the Dawes Report, and the messages received during the past few days show that very good progress has been made. The representatives of the nations gathered in London no doubt felt- that the time had come when the finding of a settlement could not be, longer delayed without serious danger arising, and, reluctant as both Germany and France may be to make sacrifices of what in their opinions have been regarded as principles, the conference has been able to reach. decisions which represent definite progress and renew hope that Europe will in the near future enter upon a new era. The reports of the decisions reached indicate that the task of the conference has been mostdifficult, aiid it is sincerely hoped that the work of the statesmen will meet with the approval and acceptance of their respective Cabinets. At present the outlook is hopeful, but one has some doubt as to .whether or not the Cabinets will accept- the decisions and ratify the agreements. The improvement in the exchanges may be taken as a good omen, for the international financial barometer is very sensitive and its movements indicate very accurately as a rule the conditions to he expected. We may, however, be sure that the strongest Nationalist elements in Germany and France, who prefer bitterness and not reason as their guide, are very busy organising their attacks against those who have accepted the proposals made in London, and until the German and French Ministers meet their Parliaments one cannot prophesy .accurately what the final result will be. However, the Ministers have been in close touch with their capitals throughout the conference, and we think that there is a very good chance of the agreements being ratified and the Dawes plan being put into operation with the least possible delay. If the high' hopes of those who have given of their best in order to reach a settlement are realised there should be a marked change for the better in Europe within a few months. Efforts to isolate or place burdensome restrictions upon the ordinary life of nations have proved dangerous and have brought about reactions seriously affecting the welfare of the nations endeavouring to enforce such restrictions. It will be in the best interests ,of all nations to have the sovereignty and rights restored to the Powers defeated in the war, and so give them a fair chance to meet their obligations and payments. The world will await anxiously the ratification by the Governments concerned of the decisions arrived at by the London Conference.