WIDE RANGE OF TALK.

Wairarapa Age, 30 November 1937, Page 5

WIDE RANGE OF TALK.

VISIT OF FRENCH MINISTERS TO LONDON. VALUABLE EXCHANGE OF VIEWS ANTICIPATED. HOPES OF PROGRESS TOWARDS APPEASEMENT. RUGBY, November 28. A wide range of international questions will be surveyed in the AngloFrench talks which are to begin in London to-morrow, although no change in the fundamentals of British or French foreign policy is expected. It is noted with satisfaction that Berlin fully recognises the desirability of the conversations and it may be emphasised that where the talks concern European questions their purpose will be to examine the possibility of bringing closer the Berlin-Rome axis and the special relationship existing between Britain and France —but not at the expense of any other party. The French Ministers will hear from Lord Halifax his own account of his German visit.

While the question of colonies is expected to be discussed it should be borne in mind that this complex question effects countries not represented at the talks, for example, Belgium, and three British Dominions.

Apart altogether from matters in which Germany is especially interested there are other important questions upon which an exchange of views will, it is believed, prove valuable. One relates to Spain. Of more serious immediate importance, however, is the Far Eastern situation and the threatened interference with the Chinese Customs service in Shanghai. There will probably, therefore, be a disposition at the meeting to recognise that the threat of war in Europe is not immediate and to try and use that factor to reduce the risk of war elsewhere and make progress towards a general appeasement.—(British. Official Wireless).