The Bay of Plenty Times TUESDAY, JANUARY 21st, 1941 LEND OR LEASE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXIX, Issue 13244, 21 January 1941, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Times TUESDAY, JANUARY 21st, 1941 LEND OR LEASE

The new measure introduced into the American Congress, and popularly known as the ‘‘Lease and Lend” Bill, is an earnest of the determination of the United States to render Britain e\ei\ possible material aid to win the war. This new measure, in effect, supercedes the Cash and Carry Act or Neutrality Act. Ihe nen measure meets, with the support of all parties in Congress, although the Republicans suggest some minor amendments. For example they desire the aid to be confined to the British Commonwealth of Nations, which would of course cut out Greece and China from receiving direct assistance. The other amendment that the Republicans "want is that the power of the President conferred by the measure should be restricted to two years, which means that at the end of the time, Congress would have the opportunity of reviewing the position. These amendments are not of vital importance. The interesting and satisfactory feature is that both Republicans and Democrats realise the importance of rendering effective material aid to Britain. They want Britain to' win the war, and they also realise that Britain is keeping America out of the war, and preventing the war from extending to the United States. Under the new measure, the President is empowered to lend,or lease war material to Britain, and it is reported that a further batch of American destroyers is to be made available to Britain. It will be remembered that in exchange for bases in Britain’s American colonies, America gave 50 destroyers, and it is just possible that now another 50 will be added. Britain can make good use of this mosquito fleet in patrol and convoy duties, and in searching for and destroying sea raiders. The blockade of Germany must not be relaxed, and that blockade is beginning to tell on the enemy. But it must not be supposed that Britain is unable to pay for American war material; on the contrary, she can still pay in full, and is negotiating with powerful American Trust Companies to take over certain American securities held by British nationals. Britain, however, wants so much war material that if she had to pay cash, her liquid, resources would shortly become exhausted, hence the lease and lend legislation. With America as an additional arsenal for Britain, who can doubt who will win the war? Germany and Italy cannot possibly beat the two great democracies, the two richest countries in the world, with unlimited resources. After all, a war is not won solely by man-power, for the various phases of economics are essential. There is no doubt but that a wonderful lot of good to the nations will result from the war. It has already brought the United States and Britain closer, together than they have ever been before. Representative Americans appear eager to get in touch and have personal contact with British representatives which is all to the good. This close relationship which the war has brought about, will be continued in peace time, and if Britain and the United States so desire, they could, with their might, prevent the nations from going to war. It is just possible that Britain and America may enter into a pact to police the world. Both countries are ardent lovers of peace. There is really no international dispute that could not be settled by a round table conference, and mutual goodwill. The nations are neighbours, and should be neighbourly. They could be neighbourly if they desire it. Deliberately preparing for war, as Germany has done, should be made impossible.