GREAT BRITAIN’S BURDEN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 876, 21 January 1930, Page 11

GREAT BRITAIN’S BURDEN

DEFENSIVE PREPARATIONS IN EUROPE ACTIVITY IN U.S.A. "The quiet heroism and magnanimity with which Great Britain faces her heavy burden of responsibility should command our deep respect,” said Mr. Frank Milner. C.M.G., Rector of Waitaki Boys’ High School, who returned from abroad this morning on the Ulimaroa. "THE fostering of a Pan-Britannic ■*“ economic unit as a defensive measure against American penetration and as a guarantee of a home market for mass production is now commanding representative support in Britain. " Meanwhile rationalisation has started at Home. Lord Melchett and others are effectively preaching the necessity of radical reforms in salesmanship and in business methods by means of mergers and simplification. "After a world tour I have returned with the deep conviction that the Englishman’s sense of fair play, his insistence on a high code of honour, not only in Parliamentary and public service but also in commerce, constitutes a unique modern bulwark in modern civilisation. “British trade is confronted with increasing difficulties due to the crushing load of taxation, the dislocation and enhanced price of coal supplies and the industrial competition from countries employing sweated labour or enjoying the economics of mass production or Government bounties. Lord Beaverbrook’s campaign for Free Trade within the Empire calls for sacrifices which will not appeal to the secondary industries of the Dominion. CHANGING CONDITIONS “On the other hand the project of intensified Imperial Preference through increasing reciprocity and the erection of tariff walls against the outsider is appealing to a rapidly-widening circle of influential thought at Home. New economic conditions in the form of mass economies of production, standardisation, depreciated currencies and competition with sweated labour call for a bold policy of rehabilitation untrammelled by academic shibboleths.” During his tour of the eastern States of America Mr. Milner studied the great industrial development there. He was impressed by the colossal scale of manufacturing operations and the rapid development of what he calls a "technological age.” “Great Britain and Europe have not yet gauged the range and efficiency of this industrial development,” said Mr. Milner. “I found that production had increased by 65 per cent, within the past few years, that 300 former industrial occupations had disappeared, that 25 per cent, of the workmen of America were now engaged in jobs which did not exist ten years ago, and that the workman was equipped with 30 times the liorse-power of his rival in the Old World. I was informed that, this year’s output of motor-cars alone would exceed eight millions. AMERICAN ACTIVITY "I found that the U.S.A. had its eyes on such potential markets as China, India, Russia and Africa, where masses of population are slowly evolving to higher standards of comfort. “The defensive preparations of Europe, seen in the preliminary negotiations of European statesmen, with a view to establishing a common tariff against American production, show the realisation of the menace. "The campaign for the development of inter-imperial trade as a Britannic economic unit is also prompted by the realisation of American penetration. 1 do not, however, think that either the Old Country or Europe realise the full implications of this vast superindustrialism across the Atlantic, otherwise they would be galvanised into greater activity, and adopt bolder methods of production.” All through England Mr. Milner found New Zealand to be the favoured Dominion, and the popularity of New Zealand products to be amazing. Such products as honey and pork have stepped into assured preference and repute. This was due to the indefatigable advertising efforts of the High Commissioner’s 'office. Mr. Milner is of the opinion that the further judicious allocation of funds to the High Commissioner for the development of intensive advertising would be a good national investment. GERMAN INDUSTRY In Germany Mr. Milner was impressed by the industrial activity. The River Rhifie was an animated spectacle, with continuous strings of barges, each carrying about 1,000 tons of cargo, continually passing along* it. People were working in manufacture and on the land with great intensity and the hours of work usually averaged 12 hours a day. In the evenings thousands could be seen tilling the vegetables in their plots near the towns. Germany was now second only to the United States in exports. Civil aviation was making great strides and all the chief towns were linked by regular mail *nd passenger air services. The “Return to Nature” movement in Germany was very popular and young people of both sexes were encouraged to take exercise in the open air. Hundreds of hostels have been established by the Government throughout the country and tramping parties could obtain a hot meal and a bed at them. A study of conditions in Italy made Mr. Milner realise that Mussolini, by the force of compelling personal magnetism, had accomplished a great work of national regeneration. There is still grave tension between the Arab and the Jew in Palestine, according to Mr. Milner, and at the Wailing Wall he saw enough emotional bigotry to precipitate another "redfool fury” of Hebron. The Palestine Commission is vested with very grave responsibility, he says.