A STRONG PLEA

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1937, Page 5

A STRONG PLEA

FOR COOPERATION j MADE BY MR A. EDEN, (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). ■Received this day at 1.30 p.m.) • RUGBY, September 21. A strong plea for world* co-operation in economic rehabilitation was made by Mr A. Eden, addressing the League Assembly. He said the British Government always deliberately refrained from pressing a system of colonial preference beyond a certain limited point. It was ready as a part of the efforts now being made to effect an economic and political appreasenient and increase ’ international trade, by lowering tariff barriers and other obstacles, but without prejudice, to enter into discussions with any powers which may approach, it for the abatement of particular barriers in non-self-governing colonial territories, where these can be shown to place undue restrictions on international trade. This offer must be made subject to the reservations necessary to secure reciprocated advantages for colonial production, and io meet the competition of low cost producers. This offer refers to the United Kingdom as well as the colonies. Mr Eden said lie feared that no modification of any preferential policy could adequately remove the difficulties in those countries whose maintenance of exchange control had reduced their ab’il-' itv to nay for imports.

Deploring the deterioration of the international situation, which had compelled Britain to expand her armaments and forces ton degree uunreeedented in a time of peace, Mr Eden said, Britain still believed in the principle that war henefitted neither tho victor nor the vanquished, and remn'ined determined to always seek a pacific settlement of disputes.