THE GERMAN VISIT.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18343, 1 June 1931, Page 6

THE GERMAN VISIT.

.Nothing but go-od for Anglo-Ger-man relations can come of Mr Henderson’s invitation to the German Chancellor and Foreign Minister to visit London this week. There are plenty of subjects of interest to both countries which can most conveniently be broached by personal discussions. There is, first of all, the burning question of the proposed Aus-tro-German Customs Union, which no doubt Mr Henderson will wish to discuss in its bearing on British trade. Not less important is the work of preparation for the Disarmament Conference. It is obvious that Germany although disarmed, can influence the success of that meeting as effectively as any of the great armed nations, since their willingness to reduce their armaments turns to a large extent on Germany’s attitude. This in its turn depends to a considerable degree on the way in which Germany is treated by the other Powers. If she is left out of private consultations, if she feels that decisions which affect her are reached in her absence, sue is likely to be resentful at being Ignored. It is this danger which makes Mr Henderson’s Invitation so opportune. The London Naval Conference and tno subsequent negotiations with France and Italy have brought Mr Henderson into repeated personal touch with the French and Italian Foreign Ministers. In all this interchange of visits Germany, for obvious reasons, was not Included. But the problems which Britain shares with Germany are as important as those which Britain has in common with France or Italy, ana it is therefore an excellent thing that the Foreign Secretary should prove by his Invitation to Dr. Bruening that he finds friendly, personal conversations as appropriate in the one case as in the other. Whenever possible, however, -it is desirable that these personal contacts should be made on the neutral ground of a council meeting at Geneva, where none of the Great Powers need feel left out. Necessary though less inclusive, meetings sometimes are, there Is always a fear that they will lead to jealousy.