SILENCE IS GOLDEN TO SIR OTTO NIEMEYER.

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 9, 2 August 1930, Page 4

SILENCE IS GOLDEN TO SIR OTTO NIEMEYER.

BEHIND CLOSED DOBS L\ SYDN WORK AM) WHILST; TO SAY. SYDNEY, July 24. Sir Otto Niemeyer, who is investigating the financial and economic situation in Australia, will remain in Sydney at least a week, before going to ..Canberra to discuss matters with the Federal Cabinet. Sir Otto has had quite a lot to say to tlie Prime Minister, Mr Scullin, and leading bankers, about Australia’s position, in relation to its obligations abroad, but, for publication, he is as silent as the grave. He is not easy of access, at least to pressmen. Closed doors, which are closely watched by an official, bar the way even to th e passage in which his office is situated, at the Commonwealth Bank, Sir Otto and those accompanying him —Professor Gregory and Mr R. N. Kershaw, liaison officer between the Bank of England and the Commonwealth Batik and other banks within the Empire—occupy offices ordinarily set apart for Federal Ministers. Access to those offices was a simple matter until a few' months ago, when doors were placed across the passage way leading to the Ministerial quarters. Thus Sir Otto, in the prosectuion of his big financial task, is also safe from intruders. “ON WITH THE JOB.” Professor Gregory would not even admit to-day that Sir Otto would confer during the week with leading bankers, several of whom were met at the financial conference yesterday. “Quite frankly,” said Professor Gregory, who introduced himself as plain “Mr,” “we have nothing at all to say at the present juncture. We are simply getting on with our work.” Sir Otto Niemeyor, who has also made it quite clear that he will not comment on any aspect of Australian finance, until lie has exhaustively examined th e whole position, is not, it is understood, restricting himself to any hard and fast plan, but is watheiug the si illation as it develops. FOR QUEENSLAND? ■ He will probably visit Queensland before leaving the Commouwe urh for he is anxious to se e as much of Austraia as possible, and to get a close-up of actual conditions in each State. The fact that, as a result of the financial conference yesterday, Australia now proposes to pay her way abroad along systematic lines, will probably serve to lighten Sir Otto Niemeyer’s task.