CALL TO U.S.A.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 757, 10 May 1933, Page 1

CALL TO U.S.A.

MR LANSBURY SPEAKS OUT. Generous Spirit Needed. WAR DEBTS CONCESSIONS DEMANDED. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. (Received May 10, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, May 9. In the House of Commons, Mr George Lansbury, Leader of the Opposition, complained that Mr MacDonald had submitted no concrete proposals which the Government intended to advocate at the World Conference. The House had been told nothing definite on the war debts question. “We ought not to be mealy-mouthed on the subject, seeing that we cancelled £1,000,000,000 of Italy’s and France’s debts to us, and we have allowed many more millions to go by default,” he said. He wanted to know exactly what was meant by the raising of world wholesale prices. The poor would have to pay them, thus they were another form of reducing wages. The world’s troubles had been caused by the huge pile of debts. Instead of the Governments facing this they were renewing loans and increasing the difficulties.

Sir Herbert Samuel said that Mr MacDonald was entitled to the country’s thanks for his talks with President Roosevelt, for “ economic and political Anglo-American co-operation ought to be the keystone of our international policy.” The world depression emanated from America, and when prosperity returned there it would return to the world. The House did not desire to embarrass the Government. It had been reticent on the war debts question, but the opinion should now be voiced that the United States should show an accommodating spirit.