ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES

Chronicle (Levin), 16 January 1947, Page 5

ECONOMIC DIFFICULTIES

, Press Assn.-

; Britain Must Soon Balance External Aceounts problem of mine labour

By Telegraph

-Copyrighi

Received Wednesday, II p.m. LONDON, Jan. 15. Unles.s Britain soon balances her o external aecounts slie will -faee economic diffienlties greater tlian in the worst periocl of the •war, says Professor Lion'el Robiiins, who lately lel't the (iovernment service, Yvriting in Lloyds Bank Reviexv. Professor Robbins questions the feasibilitv of solving the hard eurreney problem by direeting exports to special areas. The Australian Associated Press special correspondent says independeht opinion liaeks Professor Robbin's assertion that the employment of foi'eign labour is the only real remedy for the coal shortage which is Britain 's most urgent diffteulty. Oahinet may soon have to bow to this politically distasteful doctrine. Tlie ehairman of Barclay 's Bank (Mr. Edwin Fisher) in a speech douhted the wisdotn of the Government 's policy of forcing inTerest rates still lower. Oity eireles weleomed this impl'mc ei'itieism of Dr. Dalton 's elieap monev programme and also weleomed Mr. Fisher 's appeal for the earliest possible bnlaneing of the national aceounts;