Conference opened to-day and was! attended by thirty-three States and by representatives of the Internatiofial Chamber of Commerce, the! last-named in an advisory capacity.
M: Colijn, a former Premier of Holland, was elected President.
The Conference discussed the removal of import and export restrictions and prohibitions.
The Chinese delegate declared that China would be ready to sign convention as soon as the autonomy] of the Chinese Maritime Customs was recognized.
Sir Sidney Chapman (Great Brit. in) declared that more facilities for commerce are possible, but in view of the divergence of interests the Conference must proceed' was expressed by M. Surrays (France) and Herr Trendelenberg (Germany). The latter declared that a return to the position without any retions would be a valuable aid to international commerce—Reuter.
London, Oct. 18.
The "Diplomatic Conference" at] Geneva, which opened yesterday, the outcome of the World Economic Conference of six months ago, which Passed a series of resolutions dealing with impediments to international trade, but the decisions carried executive force.
The present conference aims at giving them practical effect by drafting a convention providing, with reservations, for the "abolition of prohibitions and restrictions on imports and exports.
The conference will not deal with tariffs at this stage. It will first tackle the disorganization of the markets owing to the many hampering restrictions that have grown up since the War ended—Reuter.
Geneva, Oct. 18.
The international conference on trade barriers concluded its general discussion of the preliminary draft agreement prepared by the League lof Nations Economic Committee.
The consensus of opinion favoured adoption of the convention for the ion of import and export prohibitions and restrictions.
The first article of the draft! agreement provides that, subject to certain exceptions,—contracting States shall undertake within—six months to abolish all such prohibitions and restrictions.—Reuter.
Geneva, Oct. 19.
The International Trade Barriers!
Conference has referred to a committee the American amendment to Article ILL of the draft agreement, follows:
"In the event of fixing ratios or quotas no conditions or formalities shall be imposed or required in connection with the allocation of licenses for a restricted quantity of] goods, authorized for exportation, that may prevent a grant to each lof the other contracting States of an equitable share of such exportation, having regard to the normal! volume of trade in these respective the application of this Clause no distinction shall be made! between direct and indirect shipments.""—Reuter.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.