§ 4.0 p.m.
§ What were those obstacles? They were, firstly, currency difficulties and the instability of exchanges; secondly, Customs and trading restrictions; thirdly, transport difficulties; and, fourthly, the absence of sense of security against war. There were four Commissions set up for the purpose of reporting upon four different branches of the various problems upon which we were engaged. There was, first of all, the Financial Commission, which was presided over with very great ability by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir R. Horne), who, fortunately, was able to conclude the labours of that Commission before he left. There were the Economic Commission, the Transport Commission, and the Political Commission. On these Commissions my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War (Sir L. Worthington-Evans) and my hon. Friend the Secretary for the Overseas Trade Department (Sir P. Lloyd-Greame) appeared on behalf of this country, and they rendered, as anyone who knows their capacity can be assured, the most admir- 1452 able assistance. I had better say a few words about the work of the Financial Commission, the Transport Commission, and the Economic Commission, before I come to the work of the Political Commission, around which most of the controversy ranged, and which excited most interest at the Commission, as also I rather think outside as well.