ECONOMIC CONFERENCE

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 9 May 1927, Page 9

ECONOMIC CONFERENCE

TARIFF BARRIERS.

HOW THEY CAN BE LOWERED.

GREATER PRODUCTION NEEDED,

BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. Received 12.5 p.m. to-day. GENEVA, May 8. M. Loucheur, at the Economic Conference, emphasised that the suppression of trade barriers by the establishment of a United States of Europe was impossible. The lowering of the barriers was possible only by measures which the conference should recommend, including the suspension of tariff rates, also increased production, if necessary adopting the American methods.

M. Theunis proposed that the conference congratulate the Australian delegates and Government on the inauguration. of Canberra, and this was adopted by acclamation. “Britain and the Dominions are unanimously against the measure, which aims to put into ‘the hands of an international bodv consideration of matters, many of which are purely of a domestic nature. Conversations took place during the week-end between France and Italv and the minor States who are adherents of the Powers mentioned. with the object of establishing a block _ vote on the proposa 1. Though in official circles it is considered that this project will become the major item for decision, inasmuch ns tlie conference approves of the creation of an approved council, all contentious subjects now on the agenda paper, of which there are a number, will he referred to the new body, which will have wide executive powers.”

PERMANENT ECONOMIC COUNCIL

A FRENCH PROPOSAL

Received 2.30 p.m. to-day. . LONDON, May 9. The Australian- Press Association’s Geneva- correspondent states: “I air now in a position to say that all othei considerations' of the conference are overshadowed by the uronos'aT put forward last week bv the French workers’ delegate, to the effect that a' permanent economic council of 18 members' he created, representing the different economic interests, to- study the Questions it considers suited and to place them l on the l agenda, paper for special acTvisbrv conferences to he. held from time to time. The proposal ahn provides the creation of special technical conferences to frame international conventions on finance, industry. commerce, etc. Tbomfh the French workers’ clelegate submitted 1 the proposal. it obviously emanated! from the French _ Government, which is now eueaired in actively canvassing for supporters.”