BRITAIN’S POOR

Hokitika Guardian, 22 February 1929, Page 6

BRITAIN’S POOR

MORAL AND PHYSICAL DECLINE.

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrignt).

LONDON, February 21

The Ministry of Health lias issued a grave report on the conditions ot the South Wales coalfields. It states thatthe effects of the prolonged poverty there are now becoming increasingly noticeable in the health of the men, the women and the children.

The report says that a general deterioration of the physique o*f the people there is in sight. . The situation is one that is unparalleled in modern history. The nearest to it was the cotton famine in the vears ISO2 to 186-L

Discussing the destructive effect of illness upon the character and morals of the people, the authorities state that they are more struck by the depression, the listlessness, and the hopelessness of those who are unemployed than by actual privation. Work 5s needed even more than are lood and clothes, it says. Mr S. Baldwin, the Prime Minister, meets the Executive of the Miners’ Federation on oth ot March, to discuss the position of the coalfields.

AID FROM. OVERSEAS

LONDON, February 20

“ It, would ho a veritable disaster il mistaken inferences from public speeches and national appeals encouraged the Dominions and the rest of the world to believe that Britain is in the throes of poverty and starvation,” says tin* “Daily Express,” in an outspoken editorial.

It refers to a passage from the Prince of Wales’s speech, which it says “seemed to appeal, not only to Britain hut to the Dominions, to contribute t«> the solution of Britain’s unemployed problem. Hastily read, this might he construed as a confession that England is unable any longer to support he. own burdens, and is forced to beg This certainly was not the RrmrcV meaning. Great Britain needs n charity from abroad. Co-operation, close consultation with the Dominions settlement, trade, and whatever elsmakes for Imperial unity, yes: their charity—No! We do not need it. Our present troubles are severe, but we will worry through them unaided. Now, as ever, Britain stands on her own 'feet. Goodwill lias prompted donations from the miners in Australia, Canada, and elsewhere. These are appreciated, hut England would much rather have r thoroughly understood that donations however kindly, are superfluous. .There is nothing financial <"• economic in the position to justify receiving them. One of the effects of this benevolence is to damage Britain’s credit, and to convince the world that England either is over-poor, or over-indifferent, or is too self indulgent to shoulder her own burdens.