More An Idea Than A Plan

Northern Advocate, 6 September 1947, Page 7

More An Idea Than A Plan

Customs Union

(P.A.)

WELLINGTON, This Day.

“I am not aware of the terms in which Mr Bevin made his statement, and it is not clear whether his conception is of a customs union for Europe and a customs union for the Dominions or whether both are involved. This statement was made today by the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) when asked to comment on Mr Bevin’s proposal.

‘‘The fact is that there is such a lack of certainty in the report that, until such time as details are available, I would not be prepared to comment with any degree of accuracy. “From the cable report it would appear that the conception of a customs union is much more of an idea than a plan.” AWAITING DETAILS' The. method by which the proposed union would work was difficult to determine at this stage, said the Minister of Customs (Mr Nash), commenting last night on Mr Bevin’s proposals for a Commonwealth customs union. The Government would be willing to examine any proposals which would strengthen the British Commonwealth, improve its production and expand the trade of all members, provided the internal economy of the Dominion was safeguarded. Mr Nash said that the charter for the proposed International Trade Organisation which was now being drafted at Geneva made provision for customs unions, but these in general would apply to contiguous countries, whereas Britain was spread all over the world. Details of Mr Bevin’s proposals would be awaited with sympathetic interest in the Dominion, concluded Mr Nash, particularly if it would help the United Kingdom through its present difficult period.