TRADE CONDITIONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 2, 2 December 1931, Page 7

TRADE CONDITIONS

BRITAIN AND FRANCE. VALUE OF CO-OPERATION. M. FLANDIN’S LONDON VISIT. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, Dec. 1.

There is a widespread feeling that the visit of M. Flandin, the French Finance Minister, is most important, and that the effects will be shown shortly in a variety of subjects, such as credits, reparations and tariffs, which daily appear more closely interlocked.

In the course of his journey to Paris, M. Flandin admitted that the British and French viewpoints were divergent, but lie left the impression that an agreement Avas not impossible. He stressed to the Daily Express the urgency of France and Britain acting together, and said that whenever they had done so everything had gone well Avith the rest of the world.

It is anticipated, according to reports from Paris, that negotiations with Britain for an economic agreement will shortly be opened in London. Members of the French delegation will be appointed forthwith, and other nations probably will join in the conversations. A British Official Wireless message states: During his stay in London, M. During his stay ill London, M. Flandin, the French Finance Minister, was the guest of the Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, at dinner. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Neville Chamberlain, and the President of tho Board of Trade, Mr Walter Runciman; were invited to meet him. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCE. DUTIES RESOLUTION CARRIED. LONDON. Dec. 1. In the House of Commons, Sir John Gilmour, Minister of Agriculture, in moving the imposition of duties on agricultural produce, said that the value of these importations ivas £13,000,000 a year. The chief object was to forbid luxury imports. He emphasised that the products of the Channel Isles, Scilly, and the Dominions and Colonies Avere not affected. Mr Lambert .. (Liberal) said that though formerly n Free Trader he felt the Government Avas not drastic enough in restricting imports. The pound had fallen to 14s 6d, and it ivas a quesiton whether for the next few months the country should be able to buy necessary food imports, like meat, cheese, and butter. The Government ought to seek all the expert advice possible to deal with imports as in’ war time, for if the trade balance and the pound Avent there Avould bo ruin to millions of people. Mr L. C. M. Amery (Conservative) attacked the Government’s failure to •outline an agricultural policy. The election had armed it to catch whales, and hitherto it had only produced tiddlers.

It would be useless to negotiate with France, Germany and the Dominions if the Government had not a general industrial and agricultural policy. The duties resolution was carried by 366 votes to 49. IRON AND STEEL INDUSTRIES. PROTECTION SOUGHT. Received December 2. 9.0 a.m. LONDON, Dec. 1: Tlie Daily Express says that Mr Walter Runciman informed a deputation representing the steel industry that he was unable at present to introduce protection for iron and steel. The investigations would continue, and the position would be watched carefully.

GERMAN EMERGENCY DECREE.

Received December 1, 9.0 a.m. BERLIN, Dec. 1. An emergency decree has been issued authorising the Government to adjust German Customs to the fluctuations in the world’s markets.