Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1949. DESIRE OF THE SAAR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 12, 25 October 1949, Page 2

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit TUESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 1949. DESIRE OF THE SAAR

Tihe Ruhr and the Saar have always been trouble spots in Europe, and although the situation there has been comparatively quiet for a considerable period., the people in both areas have been making strenuous efforts to rehabilitate themselves, and it may_not be long before they again make their voices heard. Much more has been heard of the Ruhr than of the Saar, but the latter is no less important. There has been waged by Saarlanders a titanic struggle for reconstruction, and latest reports indicate that

the battle is well on the way to being won. With their goal so close, Saarlanders have expressed the opinion that they are entitled to representation on the Council of Europe. They are claiming, and not without some justification, that the Saar is becoming a key-

stone in'post-war Europe, and for that reason they have a right to be heard. Politically independent but economically joined to France, the Saar, through wellstocked food and clothing shops, offers effective incentives for a vigorous production drive. Not long ago the Communists issued a “back to the Fatherland” appeal, but it was solidly rejected by the miners and steelworkers. A Saar Government memorandum declared: “The idea that the Saar might be united economically with France and politically with the German Federal State is fan-

tastic. This idea can arise only in the minds of those with an imperfect knowledge of the real situation in the Saar, for the application of French economic laws in German territory would cause perpetual conflict between administration and law.” Behind the drive for representation on the Council of Europe, is one. thingpride. The Saarlanders want, the world to know that they are highpower production specialists. Most of the miners are also .weekend farmers. THey own their own stock and grow crops and vegetables. The miner-farmer has little time for extremist policies, either Right or Left. With the Saar producing Threequarters of its prewar steel there is little room for unemployment,' and the search for new markets goes on constantly. A continuation of the present state of affairs may see the Saarlanders being granted the recognition they so much desire.