"Taranaki Central Press” MONDAY, MAY 3, 1937. THE “HAVES” AND "HAVE-NOTS"

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 423, 3 May 1937, Page 4

"Taranaki Central Press” MONDAY, MAY 3, 1937. THE “HAVES” AND "HAVE-NOTS"

The fiction that Germany is being starved for raw materials has been referred to frequently by publicists in recent months, and the universal conclusion of impartial controversialists is that the want of colonies in no way induces the slow starvation suggested by Nazi spokesmen. The latest contribution to the debate is that of Sir Robert Horne, a former President of the Board of Trade and Chancellor of the Exchequer. He points out that Germany in 1936 had a favourable trade balance with Great Britain of £1 1,000,000, and with the Dominions of £12,000,000, the inference being that she is well able to meet her requirements without overseas sources of supply.

The point is made that Great Britain does not control her Dominions, but has to pay for what she gets and the same course it open to Germany.

It is a principle of business that it is easiest to buy in a countiy in which you sell, and there is no reason in the world why any country in existence should starve because she is denied colonies. It could probably be shown that in pre-war years the raw materials for industry and military preparation in Germany were obtained ir Allied countries, and it is conceivable that no restriction has been placed on her purchases since the Treaty of Versailles came into operation, provided she had the money to pay for what she wanted.

Japan and Italy have achieved the dimensions of leading Powers while suffering the same disadvantage as that of which Germany complains. The value of overseas territory to a country is dependent on the possibility of development on civilised principles.

The moral support of Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand to Great Britain may be inestimable, but they live on her bounty as expressed in terms of trade, whereas she might obtain the same articles in a cheaper market if she dealt with foreigners.

There may be some dignity in being surrounded with young nations owing allegiance to a parent in Europe, but when they are .uninhabitable by white man and offer only limited opportunities for industrial development they are more a liability than an asset. I hat seems to sum up the opinions of those who have given to the public the fruits of their profound study of the subject, and it certainly disposes of the idea which has gained currency as a result of Germany s persistent propaganda that to obtain raw materials it is necessary to possess independent sources of supply.