The Proposed Tariff Truce Australia is by no means the
only offender against the spirit of international co-operation, to which lip-service is paid each year in Geneva. A meeting has recently been held in Paris to examine the question of putting into force the Convention of 1928, for the abolition of export and import restrictions, and all progress is held up by the defection of Poland and Czechoslovakia (and Turkey, which is, of course, outside the League). Eighteen coun- tries have ratified the Convention, including all the chief European States and the United States. The cheek is serious, because it is understood that preliminary agree- ment as to customs barriers is a pre-requisite to a tariff truce, even in Europe. A Conference to establish the latter is due to meet in January. The deputation to the Treasury of prominent British business authorities on December 20, reveals the disquiet felt in this country .at the economic selfishness which seems to afflict the nations as soon as they are out of " the atmosphere of Geneva." One redeeming feature is the present visit of a French economic and Parliamentary mission to Germany to discuss trade and tariff relations.
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