COLONIES TOO EXPENSIVE

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 351, 4 February 1937, Page 5

COLONIES TOO EXPENSIVE

INSINCERE IDEALS BRITAIN AND U.S.A. American Lecturer Claims They Are Doubtful Asset. Press Association—Copyright. London, Feb. 2. Mr. Theodore Rootevelt, New York, delivering the Watson Lecture at London University, commented vigorously on the current topic of the colonies 1 declaring it customa'ry for America to explain her former open door policy towards immigrants as an altruistic desire to give haven to the oppressed, while Britain pleaded the urge to take up the white man’s burden to explain the acquisition of colonies. Both statements were insincere. Britain seized colonies for material gain; America permitted tree immigration because her industrialists saw that the Inflow of cheap labour would increase profits, but they wore unaware that such immigration was to create endless future problems. Colonies in many instances were a continuous loss or a doubtful economic asset. Italy spent 1,300,000,000 more lire controlling colonies' in 1913-32 than she received in gross trade. During 40 years the German record was a similar story. It was much the same for France and Japan. Britain’s record was l much better, largely owing to Dominion trade.