IN WASHINGTON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23884, 11 August 1939, Page 9

IN WASHINGTON

MR NASH’S ACTIVITIES CONFERENCE WITH BANKERS FINANCING AMERICAN EXPORTS (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) WASHINGTON, Aug. 9. The Australian Associated Press learns that Mr Nash and Mr Firth (New Zealand Trade Commissioner in America) had a long conference with export and import bank officials, including the Acting President (Mr Whittemore), and while none of the principals would confirm the reports, it was intimated that New Zealand may enter into some arrangement whereby the bank, which is especially created for the purpose, may finance temporarily exports of American goods to New Zealand. There are also rumours of possible barter deals, but these are considered unreliable. The Acting Secretary of State (Mr Sumner Welles), when asked to comment on the prospects of a New Zealand trade treaty, said that in a general sense the United States was always anxious lo undertake negotiations for trade agreements, but in this case the conversations had not proceeded to a point where he could give any reason for optimism. EXPORTS TO AMERICA PROSPECT OF INCREASING • WASHINGTON, Aug. 9. (Received Aug. 10, at 7 p.m.) Mr Nash, when pressed to indicate the tenor of the Export and Import Bank conference, said he only wished to obtain additional information of their methods for purposes of comparison. He had found these remarkably similar to Britain’s system of aiding exporters. Referring to general conversations with various State Department officials, Mr Nash said he saw no likelihood of concluding a trading agreement within the next year or two, but he hoped it ,would ultimately be secured if the reciprocal policy remains unchanged.' In the meantime there is a possibility of other methods of increasing New Zealand’s exports to the United States. He said that obviously New Zealand should sell more here sines she buys roughly four and one-third times as much as she sells to the United States. He hoped particularly for increased sales of wool, but realised that the proposals would immediately evoke the opposition of the sheep-growing State,?. Mr Nash will depart for Ottawa to-night. MEETING WITH PRESIDENT ARRANGED FOR TO-DAY (Per United Press Association) WELLINGTON. Aug. 10. The Acting Prime Minister (Mr P. Frassr) received a cablegram today from Mr Nash stating that arrangements had been made for him to meet President Roosevelt at his home at Hyde Park to-morrow.