HOPEFUL VIEW

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22941, 20 January 1938, Page 11

HOPEFUL VIEW

BEITAIN AND EIEE PROGRESS OF CONFERENCE NEW TRADE PACT PROBABLE By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Recoived January 19, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. Jan. 18 The conference bet-ween British Ministers and those of Eire has *been adjourned again and will be resumed at noon to-morrow. The continuance of the discussions encourages the hope of further progress.

The Ministers concerned with questions of trade and agriculture will meet at 10 a.m. Mr. Sean F. Lemass, Eire Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mr. Sean McEntee, Minister of Finance, and Mr. James Bran, Minister of Agriculture, left Downing Street at 4.30 p.m. Mr. de Valera remained in conversation with tho Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, and Mr. Malcolm MacDo'nald, Dominions Secretary.

The Eire delegates will return homo after tho adjournment of the conference on Wednesday. The conference will ho resumed at a later date after further expert examination of the subjects under discussion has been made. The political correspondent of the Daily Telegraph says the talks have resulted in an agreement on principle on a new trade pact which it is hoped will break down most of £he barriers now separating tho two countries. Also a considerable measure of understanding regarding defence has been reached./

FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE FRANK CONVERSATIONS PARTITION NOT CONSIDERED British Wireless RUGBY, Jan. 18 As was expected, the partition issue was not raised again at the conference to-day between British Ministers and representatives of Eire, the position of the two sides having been made completely clear yesterday. It is understood that plans have already been made for a further examination of the questions of defence and trade. It is obvious that, if there were a possibility of a comprehensive trade agreement between Britain and Eire, an immense amount of preparation would be required. To-day's talks were of a most friendly and frank nature.