GENEVA DEBATE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23006, 8 October 1936, Page 9

GENEVA DEBATE

ECONOMIC QUESTIONS REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, Oct. 6. The Economic and Financial Commission of the Assembly continued its debate at Geneva on the report of the League's Economic Committee. The Belgian delegate declared that Belgium would support any attempt to organise expansion of world trade by the concerted action of all Governments.

Mr S. M. Jruce (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 was made to re-establish general prosperity rapidly the danger of war would be avoided.

A draft resolution, tabled following Mr Morrison's speech, 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 tl. adhesion thereto immediately given by several States, recognising that the declaration narmonises -with the recommendations made by the Economic Committee of the League in its recent report on the present phase in international economic relations/considering that a policy designed to re-establish durable equilibrium between the economies of Various countries, to lay more solid foundations for the stability of economic relations and to promote international trade would effectively contribute to the consolidation 'of peace and the restoration of international order and growth of world prosperity and improvem t ir the standard of living of the peoples, affirms the general desir.- of the States members of the League to pursue realisation of these objects, and invites all States, whether members of the League or not, to cooperate fully to that end. It urgently recommends States,' as an essential condition of final success, to Organise without delay determinate and continuous action to ensure the application of the policy indicated to reduce excessi' :' 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." ' '■';MR. MICE'S VIEWS ~. v !< LONDON, Oct. 6. Mr Stanley Bruce suggested that the Assembly, 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, which could act as a focal point for the investigation of economic problems when required. Mr Bruce, however, stressed that the first steps should be taken ? "iby-.the;Great Powers, especially the creditor Powers.' rf ' . •■'''''''■Mr Bruce added that he \Considered Mr Morrison had overstressed, the importance of acting slowly, as time now was of the utmost importance. j. 'The special Geneva correspondent of the Associated Press says that, although the personnel of the Economic Committee is outstanding, Mr Bruce's speech, was generally regarded as the most valuable contribution thus far.

AUSTRALIA'S GOOD WORK

LONDON, Oct. 6,

The special Geneva correspondent of the Associated Press says it is generally; regretted that Australia is no-longer a member of the Council as not only Mr Bruce, but Mr Macdougall and other permanent Australian delegates,, rendered thegreatest service to the League. Australia's work in the field of nutrition and economics was outstanding in results, and her influence on League affairs - was probably greater than that of any'of the other dominions.