BRITAIN AND AMERICA

Waikato Times, Volume 113, Issue 18931, 28 April 1933, Page 5

BRITAIN AND AMERICA

MR MacDONALD’S PLEA

ADDRESS TO PILGRIM SOCIETY.

A SPIRIT OF OPTIMISM.

United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright.

WASHINGTON, April 26

With the departure of the British Prime Minister, Mr MacDonald, from Washington to-day the most important section of the pre-London conversations her 9 oan be said to have been concluded. -

Mr iMacDonald uttered a farewell this evening in a homely speech to the Pilgrims’ Society in New York, in which he made an earnest appealing call for Anglo-American friendship, “ not of pacts and signatures, but of heart and conscience.”

Seemingly the very essence of an ever-closer rapprochement between the British and American people was echoed in his remarks, but between the two nations, he said, “ a common inspiration must implement a common purpose.” Mr MacDonald expressed the hope that the United States and Britain would sit on the same side of the table at the forthcoming World Economic Conference In London. He said ” No greater blessing can come to the nations of the world than that Britain and America remain in affectionate relations." On the other side of the table, Mr MacDonald said he wanted “ other enlightened nations—other nations that do appreciate their duty to the individual and with the courage, combined with reason, to face those problems and produce constructive proposals for overcoming them." British Premier’s Counsel. Mr MacDonald counselled America to have patience and steadiness in solving the world’s problems, especially that of disarmament. “ There is no reason why we should not see that victory during our lifetime," he said. While he was optimistic he emphasised that the time of the ultimate solution of to-day’s economic problems could not be predicted. Another war was inevitable “ unless the nations use the opportunity of a . militarist peace and create a spiritual peace. That is what we arc engaged in trying to do at Ehe present moment," he added. That Mr MacDonald’s short visit to the United States has assumed something in the nature of personal triumph for him goes almost without saying. ITe has always appealed to the imagination of America and his present visit unquestionably has intensified this appeal.. Although the public Is without the hard specific facts as to the exact nature of the preliminary understandings Mr MacDonald reached with President Roosevelt, nevertheless there is a full-hearted acceptance of the conclusion that he and Mr Roosevelt have not only unselfishly worked for the common 'good, but have done so in a liberal spirit such as always is acceptable to the peoples of democracies The optimism of the British delegates as they left Washington was easily understood by observers who believe that Mr Roosevelt’s conversations with Mr MacDonald and those under way with the French delegates point toward truces on three important international questions. The British Prime Minister bade farewell to America amid a brilliant setting. He sailed for England by the Berengaria shortly before midnight. Powers for tho President. It is, revealed at White House that Mr Roosevelt will request from Congress not only power to negotiate tariff treaties, but broad powers to adjust war debts as well. Of course any adjustment could only be downward. Furthermore they would make possible a moratorium covering the payments due on June 15. The second truce ’ would be one in connection with the political turmoil in Europe. This reflects the disarmament policy of Messrs MacDonald and Roosevelt and the apparent satisfaction of the French delegates. America will agree to an adequate consultative pact. M. Herriot is particularly pleased with Mr Norman Davis’s recent declaration at Geneva on that point At a meeting of the French and American experts jyith the State Department the department suggested a customs truce from the day the London conference opens until it adjourns, during which time the nations should take no further steps to increase tariffs or quota restrictions. If these three propositions work out as anticipated observers profess to have abundant hope of the political and economic success of the London Conference. However smoothly on the surface the political aspects of the situation have moved the complete official silence of the French delegates does not hide the fact that difficulties over currencies have developed. It is felt that the further the experts delve into the international monetary stabilisation question the more complicated it becomes. The question of gold advances to the many countries whose lack of reserves precludes stabilisation without aid is regarded as likely to complicate flic situation as the only countries capable of making such advances are the United States and France. la both cases foreign loans are not popular at present. A More Cheerful View. A more cheerful view of the situation however is that a definite settlement of political troubles plus war debts would put France in a more receptive mood to make economic concessions in London. The high point of M. Ilcrriol’s activities to-day was a visit to the Capitol, in talks there Administration leaders reassured him as to tlie Parliamentary situation in spile of the renewed vigour of the fight over the Inflation Bill, the vote on which lias been postponed until tomorrow. Several Government sup«porters in the Senate have swung over to the Opposition, but the passage,of tiie bill is still regarded as certain.' BREAK WITH TRADITION. SPEAKER’S WIG DISCARDED. MR PAXTON'S DECLARATION. United Press Assn. —Klee. Tel. Copyright. PERTH, April 27.' Mr Panton. (he Speaker in the new Parliament, will not wear a wig. lie said: "1 do not mind wearing a gown, Iml I shall not adopt the wig.” lie added: “Tito wow" — ! U be without fi'illa.’*