THE BRITISH ZONE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 20, 4 September 1946, Page 6

THE BRITISH ZONE

CONDITIONS REVIEWED

ALL GERMANS UNDER 30 TO BE GIVEN CLEAN RECORD

It is observed in London that the review of conditions in the British zone of Germany given in London recently by Mr Hynd, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, the Minister responsible for the administration of the British zone, illuminates the measures being taken by the British authorities. Mr Hynd’s statement gives ground for hope that the tide of economic distress, which reached a low ebb last spring, has at last definitely turned. Anglo-American co-operation is taking practical shape in the economic fusion of the British and American zones and is the key which opens the door to improved conditions of living and production. Joint planning his already reached an advanced stage, full use being made of expert German advice. The trend of British and American policy is to entrust more of the management of economic matters to the Germans. A German administration for food and agriculture is being set up, and this will be followed by German administration for trade, industry and communications. German administration will, of course, operate under Allied supervision. Two crucial problems remain, food and coal, which react on one another in an interminable circle of cause and effect. Food Standard Must Be Raised

As regards food, the March low level standard of 1050 calories daily was raised last month to 1137 calories and since August 19 has been further increased by another 200 calaries for town dwellers. Though stocks are nearer exhaustion than ever, the British authorities are resolved that the food position must continue to be improved, at whatever risk to stocks. In collaboration with the Americans, it is hoped to raise the standard to 1550 calories, and it is proposed to institute joint levels of rations in the British and American zones. The question of the level of production of coal and its distribution between export, notably to France and home consumption is at present under discussion by the Four Power Commission in Paris. It is essential to increase production and to that end the miners’ rations have been increased to 3060 calories. Whatever the Four Power Commission decides, the present export level of coal of just under 1,000,000 tons a month will be maintained in September. Additional manpower for mines is being recruited at the rate of 1500 monthly, but this is offset by losses due to sickness and desertions. More food and better living conditions hold the real clue to increased production in mines.

Mr Hynd also emphasised the British Government’s decision to exonerate from responsibility for Nazi crimes all Germans under 30 years of age, unless they are shown to be guilty of specific offences. This generous gesture, Mr Hynd says, had been approved unanimously by all anti-Nazi Germans whose opinion had been consulted. Future Structure

It is pointed out in London that it was outside the scope of Mr Hynd’s statement to deal with the British Government’s ideas concerning the future political structure of Germany. These ideas have already been officially indicated in their main lines. They are based on thd Potsdam principle of political decentralisation, and the United States Government’s proposal for FourPower supervision of German disarmament for 40 yeajt’s. The British Government envisages Germany as divided into a number of autonomous states, . bound together for certain common economic functions on a federal principle. In such a German Federation, Prussia would disappear as a state, but the Rhineland would be included. The United Kingdom Government is opposed to the French plan of political separation of the Rhineland and the Ruhr from the Reich as likely to create intense German hatred, to say nothing of the difference which would almost certainly arise between the Allies responsible for the government of those areas. On the other hand, the United Kingdom Government stands firm by its opinion that the industries of the Rhineland and the Ruhr should be placed under international control.