ECONOMIC CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19632, 10 May 1927, Page 10

ECONOMIC CONFERENCE.

SPEECHES BY RUSSIANS.

IDEALS OF BOLSHEVISM.

CLAIM FOR RECOGNITION.

By Telesraph—Press Association—Copyright. A. and N.Z.—Sun. - GENEVA. May 8.

At a sitting of the Economic Conference the Soviet spokesman, Mr. Sokolnikoff, gave a lengthy exposition of Russia's internal economic situation. This purported to show that there had been improvements in the agricultural and industrial conditions.

The crux of Mr. Sokolnikoff's speech consisted of a declaration that the Soviet was ready to co-operate with capitalistic countries, a bettor comprehension by which of the Soviet's system would, he said, conduce to world peace. The policy of the Soviet was to encourage productive investments.

Alluding to reconstruction, the Russian delegate said the task was difficult, but success was assured. . Russia had 20,000,000 peasant, proprietors, and could develop her resources without the help of capitalist countries. Nevertheless both could exist in collaboration.

Another Soviet delegate, Mr. Ossinski, urged that the Bolshevik system was a panacea for all the world's economic ills. He recommended the cancellation of all war debts, increased wages for all industrial workers, the introduction of an eight hours' day for all workers except miners, whose hours, he said, should only be six, the fullest liberty for trades unions, real measures for the relief of unemployment and the reform of the taxation system. Mr. Ossinski also proposed a decrease in expenditure on armaments, the abolition of <all bamers against emigration, the cancellation of systems of protectorates and mandates, the suspension of all measures of economic, boycott and the restoration of relations with the Soviet. He urged that Russia should be enabled to obtain the credits necessary for the country's development in return for concessions to be granted foreign capitalists.

Mr, Ossinski also demanded the withdrawal of troops from all colonies, the entire abolition of standing armies and navies, and the abandonment of attempts to destroy institutions indissolubly linked with the Socialist system, especially the Soviet monopoly of foreign trade. \ M. Leon Jouhaux (France) said the speeches of "the Russian delegates meant that the Soviet had abandoned its revolutionary policy. Therefore co-operation with Russia was rendered possible. Interest in the appearance at the conference of the Soviet delegates was so keen that many delegates clamoured for the rostrum to enable them to hear all the speeches.

FRENCH PROPOSAL.

NEW PERMANENT COUNCIL. EMPIRE DELEGATES OPPOSE. \ ■ * A. and N.Z. GENEiVA, May 9. . All other considerations at the Economic Conference , are now overshadowed by a proposal which was made last week by a French workers* delegate. This was that a permanent Economic Council of 18 members should be created to represent the different economic interests and study questions it might consider suitable to be placed ou the agenda; also, that special advisory conferences should be held from time to time.

The proposal also suggested the creation of special technical conferences to frame international conventions of finance, industry, commerce, etc. Although it was ffio French workers' delegate who submitted this motion, it htili obviously emanated from the French Government, which, is now engaged in actively, canvassing for supporters. The representatives of Britain and the Dominions are unanimously opposed to the scheme, which aims at putting into the hands of an international body the consideration of matters many of which are purely of a domestic nature.

Conversations were held at the weekend between representatives of France, Italy and the minor States which are adherents of the Powers mentioned, with the object of establishing a block vote \ in favour of the proposal. In official circles, however, it is considered that this project will become a major item for decision, inasmuch as if the conference approves the creation of the proposed council all contentious subjects now on the agenda, of which there are several, will be referred to the new body, which would have wide executive powers.

PROBLEM OF • TARIFFS.

HOW TO REMOVE BARRIERS. M LOUCHEUR'S SUGGESTIONS. A. and N.Z. GENEVA. May 8. The French delegate to the Ecftnomic Conference, M. Loucheur, expressed the opinion that a suppression of trade barriers by the establishment of a States of Europe was impossible. The lowering of the barriers would be possible only by measures which the conference should recommend. These should include a suspension of the tariffs race, also an increase in production, and,, if necessary, the adoption of American methods.