PRIMER’S MISSION

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18928, 24 April 1933, Page 7

PRIMER’S MISSION

WASHINGTON REACHED QUIET TALKS COMMENCED. INTIMATE AND INFORMAL. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. NEW YORK,. April 22. A message from Washington states that on Mr MacDonald’s arrival there last evening he banished, in emphatic words, all the talk of a British estrangement with the United Stales over the abandonment of the gold standard, and began with President Roosevelt quiet talks on which the world has built hopes for the beginning of better times. The British Prime Minister was welcomed In hearty and unceremonious fashion by the President and his family. They walked out beneath the portico of their executive mansion to greet their guest with outstretched hands and friendly smiles. The President entertained Mr MacDonald at an Intimate and informal dinner. Then they settled down for neighbourly conversations, out of whioh, both hope, will come international currency stabilisation and the end of the Ills which have beset the commerce of the world.

War Debts on the Landscape. In his address to the press Mr MacDonald laid stress on the need for starting again an exchange of trade in international commerce. Asked if war debts would be considered at the conference, he said: “This is one of the features of the landscape that must necessarily be surveyed. I do not know about any specific proposal about war debts.”

In • reply to a question about the stabilisation of currency, Mr MacDonald replied that the United Kingdom for a long time had sought an opportunity to bring this about. He emphasised that he was a and as such would submit no specific programme, at least just now. Mr MacDonald added, Jiowever, that there would he no holding back on his part. His purpose was to pool his thoughts with ’those of Mr Roosevelt and the statesmen of other countries in a thorough exploration of the world economic situation. From the President’s own desk in White House, Mr MacDonald, soon after his arrival, told the world In an emphatic manner through the press that no British official holds, in his heart any enmity toward the United States for its sudden departure from the gold standard. , AH ceremonial calls by Mr MacDonald on Government officials were dispensed with to-day at the wish of President Roosevelt in order to give him more time to pursue the discussions with the British Prime Minister. In a joint statement issued after to-day’s conversations the t'.vo leaders said: “The main problems for the World Economic Conference were considered. A decision was reached that these should be allocated in the first instance to experts who will commence their discussions this afternoon and continue them to-morrow." The dominant place accorded to world money stabilisation remained plainly evident in the' light of the emphasis placed on the question at White House and in the State Department. Suggestions are being considered for negotiations to reduce the gold, backing behind national currency units. The aim is to lift commodity prices all over the world, and thereby spui world trade. Economic disarmament and an agreement among the nations that would solve monetary problems were Indicated by Mr MacDonald as the first steps needed to start the world moving back toward better days, in a speech to the National Press Club this afternoon. “ If you want to be secure and protected come to an agreement with other nations. So, on currency, an agreement is the only protection.

A Delicate Situation. Mr MacDonald told of Britain’s efforts to preserve the gold standard, and, referring to the departure of the United States from gold, he said it had created a very delicate situation internationally. “It cannot be lie added. “No one can be blamed. One of the great purposes of the World Economic Conference would be save democratic Government. Mr MacDonald emphasised that democracy had raised the expectations of the populations. Empty promises could no longer be given by Governments. He urged unity among the nations to meet their common problems. Mr. MacDonald denied that it was Britain’s Intention to adopt a retalintorv policy. “Retaliation is repul“i« -, P ,°r .aid, " Retaliation Is to drag conditions down.” He urged the completion of agreements and then the ■carrying out of those agreements “like honorable gentlemen." Having referred the details of economic matters to their respective exnerts for further discussion Mr. Roosevelt and Mr. ■Maeonald appear to be awaiting the arrival of M. llerrio (France), lo see if his views lit m with the general scheme so far drafted. , , Press reports from Franco s.tate •that it is understood M. Herriot ha? been instructed to advocate a general return to the gold standard. It is feared, therefore, that there will be early differences between him and Messrs Roosevelt and MacDonald.

Gold Standard. A message from Paris states that the highest quarters hint that M. Harriot will lie instructed that France cannot consider a tariff truce until after the world Economic Conference. Concerning this, M. Bist, deputy-gov-ernor of the Bank of France, says that for France to enter the conference with world currencies divorced from gold would be like “going to market with a piece of elastic for a tape measure.” in spile of protestations from all quarters of amity and co-operation, the siipor-hcaled political atmosphere of Washington certainly is not conducive in a traditional sense to calm and reasoned decisions. There was unusual warmth in Mr. MacDonald’s adress to the Press Club, but lie made it plain that lie considered America's abandonment of gold at least ovcrhasly.

The conversations between Mr. Roosevelt, Mr. MacDonald and Ihcir advisors have been strictly private. Meagre information represents them as “amicable and clear of any apparent suspicion on the part of the visitors that Hie gold embargo is either re - (Continued in next column )