MAINTENANCE COSTS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26749, 19 April 1948, Page 5

MAINTENANCE COSTS

BRITAIN TO PAY MAJOR SHARE LONDON, Apl. 36. The prptocol to the main text of the convention for European economic cooperation under the Marshall Plan, signed in Paris to-day, shows that Britain will pay the lion’s share of 31 per cent, towards the cost of maintaining the new organisation. The list of provisional contributions, which operates for the first financial year, gives the British and United Sttaes combined zone responsibility at 13.2 per cent., and the French zone 1.75 per cent, France’s share is 16.2 per cent. The convention will come into force as soon as the six signatory Powers have deposited the instruments of ratification with the French Government. The preamble records the signatories’ conviction that a strong, prosperous Europe is essential for the preservation of liberty, and would contribute to the maintenance of peace. The convention emphasises the special need to develop exports, particularly to non-participating countries, and guarantees joint planning for the solution of man-power problems and the free movement of workers between member States. The convention, which defines membership as the 16 foundation nations and the commander-in-chief of the German western zones, stipulates that all decisions must be unanimous, except in special cases. Provision is made for any nonsignatory European nation to join the organisation, also for the discontinuance of membership of States failing to fulfil their obligations. Members may withdraw after 12 months’ notice. The convention pledges the signatories to continue to study the possibilities of creating Customs unions. It also encourages continued efforts to achieve a multilateral system of payments, and recommends the development of a trend towards the abolition of tariffs, according to the principles of the Havana Charter. Mr Ernest Bevin opened the signing ceremony in the historic clock room of the French Foreign Office, where 18 delegations, including those led by the British and French Military Governors in Germany, gathered. After Mr Bevin had asked the delegations for remarks or amendments, the rapporteur, Mr Harvey Alphand, said the convention’s aims were by no means limited to implementing American aid. “It is also gives a permanent pattern to European collective planning for the eronomic welfare of all signatories.”