PAYMENT FOR RAW MATERIALS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 54, 27 November 1937, Page 8 (Supplement)

PAYMENT FOR RAW MATERIALS

Effect Of Armament Plans

A strong hint Uiat armament building is largely responsible for the shortage of raw materials whieli certain countries are now experiencing is contained in the report of the Raw Materials Committee to the Assembly of the League of Nations whieli was release'll recently. The committee was formed to investigate complaints that special difficulties exist in the way of non-colonial countries when they are trying to buy raw materials for industrial purposes. Despite an invitation to join the committee, neither Germany nor Italy, tbe two .States chiefly concerned, took part in the deliberations.

' The report declares that, "while avoiding criticism of the armaments policy of any particular State, nevertheless the committee would be failing in its duty if it did not point out the obvious fact that the difficulties now experienced by certain States in paying for raw materials would be immediately alleviated if a political settlement were forthcoming which would permit them to reduce their present armaments expenditures.” In the committee’s view, “it is only by co-operation in restoration of international trade that countries now in difficulties can hope to recover their former prosperity and secure improved standards of living for their people.’’ The total output of all commercially important raw materials from all colonial countries is estimated by the committee to be about 3 per cent, of the world production. Only in rubber and tin is colonial production really an important factor.