BRITAIN’S BURDEN.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4717, 27 June 1924, Page 4

BRITAIN’S BURDEN.

POST-WAR PROBLEMS. EXTRAORDINARY POSITION. ‘•England's position among European nations has continued since 1918 most complex and extraordinary. It is a fairly general belief that the great world problems are largely in the hands of the English-speaking races, and. the fact remains that the Motherland has and is facing problems that require sacrifice and courage to do her share towards settling them in the interest of humanity.” These views were expressed by Mr G H. Scott, president of the New Zealand Association of British Manufacturers and Agents at the annual meeting of that body at Wellington. Five and a half years had passed since the signing of the armistice, said Mr Scott, and many people expressed surprise and disappointment that England had not recovered a greater measure of her pre-war position at home and abroad. Such a viewpoint was the outcome chiefly of a lack of knowledge regarding the gigantic task that England has face ! since 1918. It must not be overlooked that England’s efforts in this direction necessitated —because ot her position and standing among the world Powers, and because of the world-wide influence of her finance and commerce —that she should take a very important part in assisting to settle some of the post-war problems of nations which were competitors in trade and commerce. Pride took the place of the spirit of criticism, continued the speaker, when the facts of England’s position among the nations was clearly understood. National vision in Europe was still focussed on the dark days and yeans behind. It was, however, quite clear that even though European countries were unsettled in regard to international matters, internal reconstruction was going on apace. Two of these countries were making no effort to repay their debts to England. Two 'countties had raised prohibitive tariff barriers against English products. Most of them had certain advantages in regard to their depreciated currencies when selling in competition with English manufacturers. England's national debt on March 31 was £7,680,484,000, and her annual interest bill was approximately £307,250,000, which did not include sinking fund. Whilst piling up this tremendous national liability England had honoured every obligation undertaken in connection with her war efforts. DOMINIONS CONCERNED It might not be generally understood, proceeded Mr Scott, but these matters all had a very direct bearing on the prices the Dominions received for primary products. The burdens which England was carrying reduced the buying power of her population. ;We were, therefore, vitally interested in England’s recovery in both trade and finance. Every Britisher must feel pride in what England had accomplished. “We marvel,” he aaid, •‘that England, with such burdens, can still have a surplus of cash to lend to this and other Dominions. Have we ever stopped to consider th« effect if such borrowing were reduced or became impossible ? For the most selfish motives it behoves us to solidly support industrial England in our purchases if we are to count for anything in the relief of her burdens, and thus enable us to continue leaning on lEngland to finance us.” As far as New Zealand was con-

cerned, France’s depreciated currency quite nullified any preference to England when competing against French products. The fact that 29 per cent, of the total imports of motor tyres for the year 1922 were of French origin spoke for itself. This was only one of many items. RESULT OF BRITISH PRINCIPLES"The British Empire," concluded Mr Scott, “is the saving fact in a distracted world. It is the most hopeful experiment in human organisation that the world has yet seen. The Empire is based not on force, but on good-will and understanding. Liberty is ‘its binding principle. In all the marvellous achievements of our. people which this gathering reflects I am most deeply impressed with the blending of East and West. Our duty here is to present the ideals of this great association of peoples in willing loyalty to our Sovereign, to take counsel together regarding the progress and welfare of all, and to keep our strength, both moral and material, a united power for justice, liberty, and peace.”