VISIT TO WHITE HOUSE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21734, 27 August 1932, Page 11

VISIT TO WHITE HOUSE

AUSTRALIAN STATESMEN LONG TALK WITH PRESIDENT (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) WASHINGTON, August 25. (Received August 26, at 5.5 p.m.) Mr Bruce and Mr Gullett, Australian delegates at the Ottawa Conference, spent 45 minutes with President Hoover at White House, while Mrs Hoover enter tained Mesdames Bruce and Gullett. President Hoover, who was attired in white flannels and a dark coat, received the Ministers with complete informality, saying: “ I always feel at home with Australians.” Both President Hoover and Mrs Hoover have lively recollections of their stay in Australia and show a close knowledge of her difficulties. Mr Bruce and President Hoover' had a long and pleasant discussion regarding the world monetary conference. Mr Bruce indicated how greatly Australia appreciated that at this conference there was going to be complete co-operation by the United States. Mr Bruce said that any international conference at which the United States was not represented would be incomplete. Without American cooperation the problems that were afflicting the world could not be solved. As a special compliment President Hoover did not receive the Australians in the State apartments or the executive offices, but took them into his private apartments, which are normally inaccessible to all but his closest personal friends. The visitors were impressed by the severity of the furnishings and the simplicity of the private life at White House.

In taking leave of the visitors, President Hoover, who is about to set forth on a campaign tour, expressed his deep pleasure at seeing the distinguished Australians and at renewing acquaintance with Mr Bruce, whom he met in 1927 when he was Secretary of Commerce. He added that he was intensely interested in learning how Australia was surmounting her difficulties.

REFERENCES TO OTTAWA. WASHINGTON, August 25. * Mr Bruce was received by Mr Hoover to-day. Mr Bruce said afterwards that he had presented to the President an account of the alms and attainments of the Imperial Conference. He was presented to President Hoover by Mr F. D. Osborne (Charge D’Affaires at the British Embassy), and was accompanied by Mr H. S. Gullett and Mr P. L. M’Dougail. Discussing general ideas, Mr Bruce said: “We are trying to adjust and increase our internal trade in the Empire, not by putting up barriers, but by taking them down, while naturally we are striving to protect by tariffs our own industries. We are just as good protectionists as you are here.” THE WORLD CONFERENCE. NOT POSSIBLE THIS YEAR. WASHINGTON, August 25. (Received 11 August 26, at 5.5 p.m.) As a result of the interview Mr Bruce considers it will be impossible to hold the world conference until 1933 Official opinion at Washington is that it is useless to think of holding the conference until after the Presidential election. If President Hoover is returned the conference will be possible in January, but if Mr Roosevelt wins the change in the Administration will probably necessitate, a postponement until May, seeing that Mr Roosevelt would> not assume office until March. Current opinion in Washington is that President Hoover will be returned, seeing that Mr Roosevelt is being ground between two millstones. If he breaks with Mr Walker he will lose the Tammany support, and if Mr Walker wins Mr Roosevelt’s prestige will be fatally damaged. Mr Bruce visited the Canadian, South African and Free State legations, and inspected the palatial new British Embassy, of which Washington is immensely proud. He will leave tor New York tomorrow.