TRADE BARRIERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22544, 8 October 1936, Page 11

TRADE BARRIERS

URGENCY OF REMOVAL AVERTING DANGER OF WAR MR. BRUCE'S PLEA AT GENEVA By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright British Wireless RUGBY. Oct. 0 The Economic and Financial Commission of the League Assembly continued its debate at Geneva to-day on the report of the Economic Committee. Mr. S. M. Bruce (Australia), said the present debate was perhaps the most important ever held under the auspices of the League. Economic questions were often more significant than political ones. If a serious effort were made to re-establish general prosperity rapidly, the danger of war would be avoided. Mr. Bruce suggested that the Assembly should authorise the Council to appoint from the Economic and Financial Committees, a small consultative body with power to co-opt members from outside, for instance, the United States. Importance o! Time Factor This body could act, when required, as the focal point for the investigation of economic problems. Mr. Bruce, however, pointed out 'that the first steps should be taken by the Great Powers, especially the creditor Powers. Mr. Bruce added that he considered that Mr. W. S. Morrison had laid too much importance on acting slowly, as time was now of the utmost importance. Mr. Bruee's speech was generally regarded as the most valuable contribution so far to the discussions. The Belgian delegate declared that Belgium would support any attempt to organise the expansion of world trade by the concerted action of all Governments. Text of the Resolution A draft resolution was tabled following the speech of Mr. W. S. Morrison, Financial Secretary to the British Treasury, which reads: — "The Assembly, noting with satisfaction the joint declaration of the Governments of France, the United States and the United Kingdom on September 26, and the adhesion to it immediately given by several States; recognising that the declaration harmonises with recommendations made by the Economic Committee of the League in its recent report on the present phase of international economic relations; considering that a policy, designed to re-establish durable equilibrium between the economies of the various countries and to lay more solid foundations for the stability of economic relations, and to promote international trade, would effectively contribute to the consolida-! tion of peace, the restoration of international order, the growth of world prosperity and the improvement of the standard of living of peoples, affirms the general desire of State members of the League to pursue a realisation of these objects, and invites all States, whether members of the League or not, to cooperate fully to that end.

"It urgently recommends the States, as an essential condition of final success, to organise without delay determinate and continuous action to ensure the application of a policy indicated to reduce the excessive obstacles to international trade and communications, and in particular to relax and, as soon as possible, to abolish the present system of quotas and exchange control."

LOSS TO COUNCIL AUSTRALIAN DELEGATES DEPARTURE REGRETTED LONDON, Oct. U It is generally regretted' that Australia will no longer be a member of the League Council, according to a message from correspondent of the Australian Associated Press. Beside Mr. Bruce, Mr. MacDougall and other permanent Australian delegates have been of the greatest service to the League. Australia's work in the field of nutrition and economics has been outstanding and its influence on League affairs is probably greater than that of any of the other Dominions.