PROBLEMS NOT ONLY ECONOMIC

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22005, 1 February 1937, Page 9

PROBLEMS NOT ONLY ECONOMIC

Mil NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN'S SURVEY lUUITISJU OFFICIAL WIUF-1.E53.) RUGBY, January 29. Dealing with the international outlook in a speech at Birmingham the , Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr Neville Chamberlain) said that now 'that the tension in regard to Spain ! had partly relaxed, it should be possible for more attention to be concentrated on a settlement of the European situation. Herr Hitler was about to make an important speech on that, and he (Mr Chamberlain) would not attempt to anticipate what Herr Hitler was going to say; but it was selfevident that as leader and spokesman of one of the most powerful and influential nations in Europe HenHitler had it in his power to make an invaluable contribution to a settlement. If Herr Hitler should feel able to do so, his words would find a warm response in Britain. Mr Chamberlain continued: — "We in Britain are embarking on by far the largest programme of| defence which has ever been under- | taken by this country in time of peace. It is involving us in the expenditure of hundreds of millions of pounds upon munitions and weapons which will produce no economic return. "We had no choice in the matter. If the problems of Europe were economic alone, and if there were only general confidence that the easing of economic difficulties would not bring up a fresh crop of more dangerous political activities and ambitions, our task would be infinitely easier and our readiness to make the necessary sacrifice would be far more apparent than it was to-day. In the face of the grim alternative and the ever rising burden of taxation, I cannot but believe that the requisite goodwill and determination will be forthcoming to bring us some relief." Mr Chamberlain said that the stream of orders from the service departments would not last for ever. He hoped that they would not. and something would then have to be put in their necessary, even "though industry was so busy with home orders, to maintain connexion with overseas customers. This year the prospects for industry were as bright as he had ever known and he expected many output records to be broken. j IMPROVING TOWNS (Received January 31, 9.50 p.m.) BERLIN, January 30. Herr Hitler stated in his Reichstag address that the four-year plan would include the refashioning and extension of some towns, including Berlin, Munich, and Nuremberg.