COLONIAL CLAIMS

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20739, 24 February 1939, Page 9

COLONIAL CLAIMS

GERMANY’S AMBITIONS

BACKED BY IMPERIALISM INTERNATIONAL CONTROL The fear of Germany using her former colonies, should they be returned, as a means of furthering her imperialistic ambitions was expressed by Mr E. M. Higgins, Auckland, tutororganiser of the Workers’ Educational Association, in an address on Germany’s Colonial Claims.” delivered to a large Hamilton audience last evening. Mr Higigins referred to the attitude of various political groups towards the satisfying of Herr Hitler's demands and the solutions which had been offered for the problem. He contended that the growth of imperialism was mainly responsible for the unrest throughout the world and favoured international discussion, unrestricted by the capitalist self-interest, as the way to solving the problem. Mr Higgins was introduced by Dean T. J*. Weatherhog, who presided.

Ilerr Hitler’s constant demand for possessions and the part the Munich discussions had played in satisfying his aims, were explained by Mr Higgins. Germany’s problem, according to the Nazi leader, was an economic one. The country’s growing population demanded expansion but the speaker pointed out that when, before the Great AVar, Germany possessed territory in Africa, it was of little use for habitation let alone productivity. Hitler’s claims on the grounds of the lack of raw materials did not carry very mucli weight. No colonial power was obtaining onelrt'th of its raw products from Us overseas possessions and the need lor them was less with the growth of synthetic industries. No Capital for Investment Mr Higgins stated that Germany had no capital available to invest in colonies owing to most of her available wealth being employed in building a gigantic war machine. It was to the people who had capital to invest that colonies were the most value, also to those who wished to ensure careers for their sons and those who desired to utilise the cheap labour of native peoples. With all the restrictions to free intercourse amongst nations colonies were of little value. Certainly in war-time they could be employed to prevent hostile nations gaining access to raw materials.

If Hitler received back his lost colonies it would, in Mr Higgins’ opinion, aid the Nazi defence and the capitalist adventurers. The people, however, would not benefit to any great extent.

The return of the colonies, said Mr Higgins, would mean the world being further menaced by the increased aggression of Nazi Germany. Regarding the natives in those territories, it was clear from knowledge of the Nazi code that little consideration would be given to their human needs. Hitler's creed of racial purity would no doubt be introduced. The mandatory system did impose some obligation on the controlling powers to consider the natives under their care. Hitler's Attitude “Actually,” said Mr Higgins, “Hitler, at present, is not very much concerned with colonies. In his book “Mein Kainpf,” Hitler scoffed at the value of colonial possessions outside Europe. Some people think his statements to that effect may be a smoke screen to cover up further frontier drives in Europe.” It was Mr Higgins’ view that the return of the former German colonies would make impossible economic or military security in the world.

The speaker referred to the imperialistic attitude of “what we have we hold.” He maintained that to refuse bluntly to consider the claims of the Nazis would only help in strengthening Hitler’s argument. Other opponents to the German demands considered that assurances

should be obtained from Hitler that lie would consider the rights of the natives, stipulate that he was not aiming at further expansion and that some arrangement should be made regarding disarmament.

Another method was to bring Germany into a scheme whereby the powers acted together in colonial companies for the joint exploitation of the territories under their control. There had been, said Mr Iliggins, a general feeling in favour of international control oi the colonies but that would require an international civil service. “In such a world where ‘power politics’ plays its part, can we see vested interests operating internationally?” asked the speaker. *lSomehow, I cannot.”

Citing a world conference as a means of solving the colonial problem, Mr Higgins stated that although those gatherings had failed in the past and would no doubt fail in the future

something might lie done to secure freer trade and at least give a liberal discussion on the grievances of the “have-not” powers.