EUROPEAN NATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20620, 19 July 1930, Page 11

EUROPEAN NATIONS.

PROPOSED FEDERATION.

BRITISH VIEWS EXPRESSED.

FEAR OF OVERLAPPING. By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright. British Wireless. RUGBY, July 17. Tlie text was issued to day of the reply of (he British Government to the French Government's memorandum on the organisation of the suggested European Federa] Union. The reply says the proposals are so important in purposo and scope that they require careful and prolonged consideration which must he undertaken in consultation with the other governments of the British Empire. However, as the French Government asked for a reply by the middle of July the present Note was sent, although its comments and suggestions must bo regarded as preliminary and tentative.

Tho fundamental purposo of the French memorandum was understood to be to divert the attention of the peoples of Enropo from past hostilities and from the conflicts of interest sometimes alleged to exist between them, and to fix their attention upon the more important common interests which to-day they share, thereby promoting closer co-operation among the European nations and Governments and strengthening the safeguards against another European war. Economic Relations of First Importance. The British reply expresses the fullest sympathy with that purpose and the earnest hope that France's initiative will promote a better understanding of the common interests of tho peoples of Europe, thus leading to greater mutual confidence and trust among their Governments and to a diminution of (he obstacles to international trade and economic co-operation which now exist. Agreement is expressed with the viewthat it is primarily in respect of economic relations that closer co-operation between the European nations is urgently to be desired and that to this end economic questions should be considered, not one by one, nor in respect of isolated interests, but as a whole and from the wider viewpoint of the general interests involved. Progress on such questions depends on the extent to which the Governments and public opinion in the various countries can be brought to realise the vital importance of their common interests and the advantages each will derive from measures of greater international solidarity. Also, as the French Government recognises, the independence and national sovereignly of each country will have to be respected as well as the special ties affecting particular groups of nations. M uch can be done bv political authorities to promote a wider outlook on economic questions and in so far as political action is directed to that object the British Government agrees to the proposal made in the French memorandum for an association of economic and political aul horities.

Question of Methods to be Used. The reply continues: "In respect of the methods proposed by the French Government for the realisation of its purpose, however, (he British Government feels more difficulty. It is not confident that mature examination will show that the establishment of new and independent international institutions is either necessary or desirable. "If it rightly understood (lie proposals contained in the memorandum (he French Government suggests the creation of a new European Conference and Executive Committee, and perhaps also of a new European Secretariat. Those bodies would in no way derive their authority from the Covenant of the League of Nations or from Part 13 of the Treaty of Versailles. They would in no way be controlled by the rules and safeguards which those instruments provide. They would in no way be organically connected with the League and would only correlate their work '.villi (hat of the. organs of (he League. "In so far as an exclusive and independent European Union of the kind proposed might emphasise or create tendencies to intercontinental rivalries and hostilities—which it is important in general to diminish and avoid—in the view of (ho British Government it is essential that measures taken for closer European co-operation should not cause anxiety or resentment in any other Continent. Unless that object is kept continually in view tho British Government is satisfied that even tho interests of Europe and tho world may be seriously endangered. Danger of Confusion and Rivalry. " Sinco the organs of the League already have begun work on virtually the whole of the programme of practical action which (ho memorandum puts forward, it is difficult to see bow these new European institutions could operate without creating confusion and perhaps also rivalry, which, however little it might bo intended or desired by the European Governments could hardly fail to diminish the efficiency and authority of tho organs of tho Long he. " Apart from that very difficult problem of co-ordination the British Government thinks it possible in this connection that there are special considerations of which Britain, as a member of tho British Commonwealth of Nations, must take account.

" Moreover the British Government is inclined to believe that the purpose which the French Government has in view can be effectively secured by so adapting the proposals put forward in Ihe memorandum as to 'bring them fully within the framework of tho League. Value of League of Nations. " The British Government is impressed by (he fact I hat the Warsaw Health Conference of 1922 and [Tie reconstruction of Hungary and Austria—to name only a few of tho many examples which might bo taken —were matters of European interest and concern, and yet were effectively dealt with by the existing machinery of

the League. " Therefore the British Government is convinced that it would be possible by establishing European committees of tho Assembly of tho Leaguo, the Council and technical organisations of tho Leaguo or perhaps in other ways—to create whatever machinery is required for promoting closer European co-operation, without incurring tho risks and difficulties which the system of new and independent institutions might involve." The reply expresses the hope that the French Government will agree to have tho memorandum discussed at the next Assembly of the League.