The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, APRIL 23rd, 1925.

Hokitika Guardian, 23 April 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. THURSDAY, APRIL 23rd, 1925.

REPARATIONS AND REALITIES. The publication of the Dawes Report has resulted in voluminous outpourings of opinion, which, when analysed, prove to be based almost entirely upon one of two points of view—either that of a France still overwhelmed by memories of that shock in 1914, or of a British manufacturer still cherishing regretful memories of the post-war “boom.” When it is realised that important as security is to France and prosperity is to British manufacturing interests, they are both dependent on conditions which are not entirely governed by the necessity of German subjugation, it is possible that more satisfactory progress may he made in the reconstitution of the world as a place fit for human beings to live in. It is certain that, at the outbreak of war, few realised the completeness of the inter-dependence of civilised communities. The exigencies of war conditions did much to impress this upon the observant student, but those exigen-

ties in time produced the expedients which still further veiled that fact from the general public while the platitudes .4 the post-waj- period have almost entirely obscured it. There is very little in the Dawes Report which shows any lively recognition of its existence. However, it is to he hoped that from the present position may develop the nucleus of a solution which will satisfy both the parties mentioned, while having scope for the natural lovuporative effect of an eeonome revival unhampered by political considerations. It is not realised in some quarters bow closely connected the interests of the Empire are with this prospect of economic revival on the Continent, and emphasis, endorsed by figures, is surely permissible. Rv the redistribution of territory under the Treaty, Great Rritaiu and Frame botanic the predominant Powers in the tropics—to the extent of being interested in approximately OS per cent of the total area. From this area is obtained a large proportion of the foodstuffs. and raw materials necessary for the manufacturing nations of the world, anil in this area can lie obtained a market for those manufactures in evor-ineiva dug quantities. To illustrate t;h is adequately, the figures for some of the El ite h tropiial possessions are useful. 1913. 1919. £ it Rubber CF.M.S. and Ceylonl ... 1t.73(1.112 29.903.532 Palm Oil (Nigeria. Gold Coast. Sierra l.cnne. Gambia 1 ... 1.97(1.095 4.501.571 Palm Kernels ditto 4,198,915 0,108,171 Cocoa (Gold Coast Nigeria) ... 2.043.098 9.310 229 C’opra (P'.M.S. and Ceylon) .. 3.712,718 7,170.251 It is then worth while studying the variations in prices during the last ten years, which prove illuminating when taken in conjunction with the forego-

Ann:.. 1011. 1010. IP2-I. £sa£s <i £ s a niibhor 0 a 1 (I 1 9{ 0 011 ,I’nlm Oil 20 10 0 82 10 0 28 7 0 Kernel All 0 0 00 0 0 -10 0 0 Cocoa 2 o 0 I o 0 1 10 0 Copra 21 0 0 07 0 0 20 10 0 Kernels 17 5 0 32 0 0 21 r, 0 Coffee 1 17 0 0 1 0 1 9 0

From these it v. ill be gathered that a primary necessity for the Empire, is an expansion of markets for its raw products. This will be followed by a demand within tho Empire for manufactures (which cannot be supplied entirely by Germany on the basis of what is alleged to be “uneconomic" production), which will, in turn, he reflected by a. welcome reduction in the figures of unemployment. The adoption of the Dawes Report promises some approach to this ideal, and therefore it deserves support for that alone as nothing else has so far given any indication in that direction. In any case, it is hardly logical in view of tho figures to contend. docs a contemporary. that '‘the experts’ scheme contains features which offer a serious menace to British trade and industry.”

The menace to that is the long-continu-ed uncertainty as to trading conditions that the Continental position has involved, and so soon as that is iomoved we may expect to reap the advantages to which our position am possessions entitle ns.