GERMAN POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 August 1938, Page 7

GERMAN POLICY

PREPAREDNESS FOR WAR. ECONOMIC FACTORS AT WORK. Economic factors operating in Germany of primary importance to the peace of Europe were discussed by Mr Gainor Jackson in an address delivered at a luncheon meeting of the Auckland Bureau of Importers. Mr Jackson, who recently returned from an extensive world tour which embraced several visits to Germany and Central Europe, said Germany was striving for economic self-sufficiency in spite of the fact that many raw materials and products necessary for, her economic welfare were not found in the country. Opposed to this policy were the expansionist aims of the Nazi leaders. , Possession of the oil wells of Rumania and the rich wheat fields of the Ukraine would assist her in her programme, although such an ccomplishmentl would involve the conquest of contiguous countries. “Germany knows"* that expansion must sooner or later involve her in war,” said Mr Jackson. “She is therefore rearming and preparing by every means in her power —by population increase, the fitting of women for motherhood, the youth movement, labour battalions, compulsory military service and the building of a network of concrete motor roads all over the country. It is significant that one of these new highways stopped short at the Austrian border, south of the Czechoslovakian-Austrian border. “Three days after Hitler marched into Austria,” Mr Jackson continued, “he issued instructions for this motor road to be at once continued to Vienna. This will parallel the southern border of Czechoslovakia, the most vulnerable frontier. It will be from here that Germany will strike at Czechoslovakia when she moves, for the mountains on the northern frontier practically prevent attack from Germany.” Discussing the currency system of the country, Mr Jackson said the apparent maintenance of the reichsmark was being used as evidence of economic strength under Nazi guidance. Any devaluation would deal a damaging blow to Hitler’s prestige.

The New Zealand trade treaty with Germany, he said, was nothing more than a barter arrangement. Every original invoice of goods imported from Germany had to be lodged with the Dominion Customs Department, a fact which in itself was sufficient to kill rather than increase trade. There was the further danger of dumping, through subsidies granted by the German Government.