WORLD CONFERENCE.

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18778, 28 October 1932, Page 7

WORLD CONFERENCE.

SIR W. LAYTON’S VIEWS. WHY HE RESIGNED? MR RAMSAY MACDONALD'S REPLY (Omclal wireless.) RUGBY, Oct. 26. Sir Walter Layton, in his letter to the Prime Minister resigning from the Preparatory Committee of the World Economio Conference, explains that in a recent interview with the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr Chamberlain, he found that some of the Government and himself were so different that he could not fully represent It on the committee. ' He found that the Government believed reasonable freedom of trade could be restored through International negotiations with foreign countries within the limits of the Ottawa agreements, and subject to strict Insistence on most-favoured-nation rights. In Sir Walter’s opinion that would have little effeot on the portectionlst system of the world. What was wanted, he considered, was that Britain, whose attitude would be almost a deoislve faotor, should press for plans on much bolder and broader lines In co-operation with low. .tariff countries, and those to whom the restoration of foreign trade was allimportant. Mr MacDonlad wrote regretting Sir Walter’s resignation and saying he hoped for his assistance, so that his known divergence of aims, so far from hindering the Government, would really help it. Sir Walter had misinterpreted the Government’s attitude. The main difference (between them, said Mr Mao Donald, was their varying estimates of securing progress on the lines Sir Walter favoured, which depended on the policy of other countries as well as Britain. He expressed a hope for Sir Walter’s assistance as the conference developed on any points on which he had well considered views.