Leaders Agree On Freer Trade Plan

Northern Advocate, 3 November 1949, Page 5

Leaders Agree On Freer Trade Plan

MARSHALL AID COUNTRIES...

PARIS, Wed. (1 p.m.).—European Marshall-Plan leaders tonight agreed to free 50 per cent of their private trade with one another for import quotas by December 15. The 18 member countries were also asked to report by that date on regional arrangements to create broader European markets. The decision was taken in the form of a resolution approved by cabinet members from the 18 member nations meeting as the Council of Organisation for European Economic Cooperation.

The proposal for freezing interEuropean trade from export-quota barriers was made by the British Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir Stafford Cripps). The ultimate aim of the plan is to form a single large market in Europe in which goods and services can move freely.

As well as the freeing of trade, the plan deals with intra-European payments, dual prices, closer economic cooperation and manpower. After the plan’s adoption, the Marshall Plan administrator (Mr Hoffman) declared: "The manner in which the resolutions adopted are implemented will be decisive in Europe’s history for the next century.”

KEVIN FOR PARIS The Foreign Secretary (Mr Ernest Eevin) left for Paris to attend the meeting of the committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe tomorrow. The council will consider resolutions and recommendations adopted by the Council of Europe at its first session at Strasbourg in August. Mr Bevin wili also attend the conference of the consultative council of the Western Union, which will receive reports from the Western Union defence committee.

The consultative group of the Organisation for European Economic Cooperation—the inner cabinet of the organisation—today adopted a draft resolution of the p.an of the Marshall Plan administrator for speeding unity among the 18 recovery-programme nations.

The resolution will go before the full council for approval later.