BRITAIN OF ONE MIND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20332, 13 August 1929, Page 9

BRITAIN OF ONE MIND.

reparation policy.

APPROVAL OF CABINET.

' MESSAGE FROM MacDONALD

SUPPORT > FOR SNOWDEN.

SURPRISE FOR DELEGATES

By Telegraph—Pre** Association—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Press Aisncintion. (Received August 12. 5.5 p.m.) TIIE HAGUE. All?. 11,

The diplomatic correspondent, of the Daily Telegraph stales that Mr. Snowden's policy at (he Hague Reparation Conference was unanimously approved of by the Cabinet after careful consideration. If the Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, should go to the Hague, as it was rumoured, it would be for tho purpose of backing up Mr. Snowden.

'['ho whole country has shown that it thoroughly endorses his stand. The Continenlal cry that, peace in Europe would be endangered in tho event of a disagreement is regarded as a melodramatic exaggerat ion. The correspondent points out the absurdity of the suggestion, because in the event of the failure of the conference the Dawes plan would still continue in

/ operation. Mi'. Mac Donald Ims sent n lone; cablegram to Mr. Snowden, congratulating him on his stand, and heartily supporting him. The news of the Prime Minister's intervention caused surprise among the Continental delegations. The text of Mr. Mac Donald's message to Mr. Snowden was as follows: "The commission will make the most serious mistake and may wreck the prospects of a settlement unless it understands finally that the experts' report requires readjustment to meet. Britain's just claims. " Irrespective of parties the country supports the. case you have made. The whole press, us far as I have seen, as well as all parties in the House of Commons, stand l>v you. I hope most sincerely that tho commission will see that elementary considerations of fair plav between countries compels the reconsideration of some ' of the recommendations of the experts. " Britain's actions hitherto in promoting a settlement in Europe on the basis of goodwill/prove our wish that the conference may succeed, both on the political arid the financial sides. But we have reached the limit of the inequitable bearing of burdens."

LIMIT OF ENDURANCE.

NATION BEHIND DEMANDS

STATEMENT BY MacDONALD

United Service. LONDON, Auc. U. The Lopsiemouth correspondent of the Daily Mail says the Prime Minister, Mr. Ma Donald, iu a statement this evening said: 'ln view of the statements which have boon widely made on the Continent, that Mr. Snowden is bluffing, I want to make it perfectly dear that bis claims that Britain has now come to the limit of bearing' unfair burdens had all our s import. This is so, irrespccti\e of parties."

CRISIS STILL ACUTE.

FOREIGN DELEGATES CONFER

SEEKING A WAY OUT

British Wireless. RUGBY'. An?. 11. The situation arising out of Mr. Snowden's speech at the Hague- conference on reparation was discussed yesterday outside the conference by the trench, Belgian. Italian and Japanese delegates, according to press correspondents. One result/ of the discussions was apparently an agreement that Mr. Snowden's objections regarding deliveries in kind might be met.

What is regarded as the first real step towards the continuation of the financial side of the conference was made when the Finance Committee met this morning.

Replying to a speech by Mr. William Graham, president of the British Board of Trade, who explained the British point of view regarding deliveries in kind, M. Cheron, the French Finance Minister, said this matter was open to discussion, and he indicated that a way out of the difficulties was possible.

On the other two points of -Mr. Snowden's objections, namely, the reduction of the British percentage of reparation receipts and the assignment of an unduly large proportion of unconditional payments to France, the result of yesterday s discussions is not known.

Oil tlie political side of the conference, progress lias been made. 'I he Political Committee yesterday, resuming the discussion of (he question of the evacuation of the llhirieland, accepted in principle the setting up of a technical subcommittee to work out the details of the evacuation. The actual composition and terms of reference of the committee were .left until Monday. .\ I'resis .Association message says rcpoits from the Hague agree that today's exchange of views has gone far to restore harmony among the delegates, and that Ilin atmosphere is better. Nevertheless, it is cousideied that (he fundamental difficulties rem/iin and a solution of tho crisis ia itill uncertain.