FREE TRADE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23168, 14 October 1938, Page 13

FREE TRADE

CZECHS AND GERMANY RAW MATERIAL SUPPLIES RECONSTRUCTING INDUSTRIES BERLIN AND THE BALKANS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received October 13, <5.50 p.m.) LONDON, Oct. 13 There is no possibility of a full customs union between Czechoslovakia and Germany until tho Czechs' industries have been reconstructed, says the Prague correspondent of the Daily Mail. A plan for this is likely to provide for three years in which there shall be no tariff barriers between Czechoslovakia and Sudetenland. Tho Czech industries will thus continue to draw raw materials from tho original source.* tax free and sell the goods to the Sudetens.

The correspondent adds that the Czechs are establishing labour camps and uniformed labour corps to build roads, railways and bridges. The Daily Telegraph's Berlin correspondent says the most competent economic brains are being pooled to ensure the efficient organisation of Germany's economic drive in south-eastern Europe. All branches of industry are sending large staffs to tho Balkans and the Near East, and recruits are studying llumanian, Turkish and Greek. Preparations are being made for the establishment of warehouses in Iran, Albania and Afghanistan, staffed by specially trained officials. The aim is to supplant British firms wherever possible.

QUALIFIED APPROVAL DUFF COOPER'S ACTION FEELING OF CONSTITUENTS British "Wireless RUGBY, Oct. 12 The former First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr. A. Duff Cooper, explained to the executive committee of the Conservative Association in his constituency to-day the reasons for his resignation from the Cabinet. A resolution was carried to the effect that the committee realised that having held the views ho did no other course was open to him. The committee, however, declared itself in complete agreement with Mr. Chamberlain s action and with the Government's policy, and was satisfied that Mr. Duff Cooper, as long as he remained its member, would direct his efforts and ability to the preservation of unity in the party and would support the Government, especially in the strengthening of the country s defences.