FRENCH POLICY STATED.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 303, 22 December 1931, Page 1

FRENCH POLICY STATED.

M. Laval Declares Debts Opinion. United Press Assn.—By Electrle Telegraph—Copyright. PARIS, December 20. Emphasising the point that present circumstances compel all Governments to practice national protection while proclaiming the necessity for international co-operation, M. Pierre Laval, the Premier, speaking at a meeting said it was not enough to increase tariffs. “We must protect the home market by quotas, acting with great caution in order to prevent an overgreat lowering of imports, in which the trade balance must be the guide/’ he said. Referring to reparations, M. Laval declared that France, at the forthcoming conference, would adopt the attitude that *Germany’s position was estimatable for the period of the economic depression, but would refuse to agree that reparations should be sacrificed to private debts. lie added: “In view of the American attitude, the Governments that have been dallying with the audacious theory of cancellation of war debts and reparations will doubtless be less eager to uphold it.” A listener interjected: “Hold fast.” M. Laval replied amid cheers: “That’s my habit. I do not intend to allow the Young Plan to be torn up.” He added that France, at the disarmament conference, would show that the country hated war. The army was solely a defensive measure. He would not refuse to consider schemes for mutual assistance, but would not compromise security.