SLOW PACE OF PLANS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26791, 7 June 1948, Page 5

SLOW PACE OF PLANS

concreteTproposals WANTED N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent. LONDON, June 4. The first task of the new British Ambassador to Washington, Sir Oliver Franks, will be to speed up Marshall aid to Britain, says the Washington correspondent of the Daily Telegraph. There is general, criticism of the slow pace at wmch European recovery plans are being put into effect, adds the correspondent. Bart ot this is due to lack oi staff on the Economic Co-opera-tion Administration and part to the failure of tne participating nations, incluu.ng Britain, to submit details of concrete plans for which grants or loans can be made. With the exception of. relief supplies Co-operation Administration'requires specinc projects to be laid before it, so that it can determine whether to approve contributions within the time limit of four years. The decision whether grants or loans will oe made depends upon the country's ability to repay. Britain was tentatively allotted £7a,uUv,ooo in grants and £25,0u0,0i)0 in loans for the April-June quarter of this year, but so far no specific projects nave been submitted. .When questioned in London'about the situation tne Chancellor of the Exchequer, Sir Stafford Cripps, said Britain would not accept loans unless these could be spent on capital goods which would increase her doiiar-earn-ing ability. She would not accept loans to buy foodstuffs.