WAR MATERIALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23339, 6 May 1939, Page 13

WAR MATERIALS

EXCHANGE SUGGESTED BRITAIN AND AMERICA NEGOTIATIONS OPENED British "Wireless LONDON, May 4 The Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, announced in the House of Commons to-diiy that negotiations had been opened with the United States Government for an exchange of materials useful in the case of an outbreak of war. "The United States Government recently inquired whether Britain would be prepared to consider an exchange of certain raw materials required as a strategic reserve by the United States for other commodities of which the United States has surpluses, and which ■would be a useful addition to our own stores against the contingency of war," said Mr. Chamberlain.

"Britain, fully alive to the importance of this suggestion, replied that while fully sharing the United States Government's objections to an attempt to substitute barter for the ordinary process of international trade, it agreed that in the special circumstances of the present time an exchange of materials, which would not enter into normal commerce, was not open to the same objections provided world prices were not thereby increased. "Britain expressed her readiness to enter into discussions as to the means by which obvious practical difficulties which might arise in such transaction should be surmounted. Negotiations have accordingly been opened with the United States."

FOREIGN AFFAIRS NEW RUSSIAN MINISTER NO CHANGE IN POLICY LONDON, May 4 Officials at the Russian Embassy in London state that the resignation of M. Litvinoff, Commissar of Foreign Affairs, which was announced yesterday, does not imply a change in the Soviet's foreign policy, which is decided by the Government and not by an individual. RUMANIAN DEFENCE GOVERNMENT'S NEW POWERS BUCHAREST, May 4 Army regulations amend the mobilisation and training laws, enabling the Government in the event of tension to call up the whole of the male population under 50 for an unlimited period. GOERING VISITS ITALY . BERLIN, May 4 Field-Marshal Goering will arrive in San Remo, Italy, to-day. He will stay there two weeks.