A New Economic Order

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 281, 22 August 1940, Page 11

A New Economic Order

Sir,-°Some are thinking the creation of a British-American Co-operative Movement for World Peace will establish that con'dition —“World Peace”— after this war. What about the “League of Nations” founded after the last war to keep the “world’s peace?” The nations pledged themselves to settle international differences by arbitration. That failed because the League of Nations had no power to enforce its decisions.

There was a League of Nations in Europe founded in 1848. There was the establishment of the Peace Court at The Hague later, and what came of that? Valiant nations belonging to the League of Nations set noble examples by leading the way in 'disarmament to establish universal peace, and make the world fit for heroes to live in. All their aims at “appeasement” ended in “abasement,” and rendered them unfit to meet lawless and ruthless aggressors. So now we are to have a British-Ajnerican Co-operative Movement for World Peace, and a new economic order.

In support of this altruistic conception, some one says: “In the realm of trade, apart from tariff an'd other artificial barriers, which it was hoped,the movement would do much to eliminate, there was no limit to the trade that could be done between this Dominion and the United States.” Who is going to abolish the tariffs in this Dominion, and in the United States? Were these removed there must be a limit to the trade between New Zealand and the United States. We have to pay Great Britain 10 to 12 millions a year, and that is done by 10 to 12 millions’ worth of our produce; and there are little or no barriers against our marketing at Home, such as exist against us in any increase to our trading with the United States. And if it does not suit themselves, there is no hope of the Americans- abolishing their tariffs to suit us. Universal Peace cannot come that way.

The only way to world peace—of at least a stop toward it—is for the United States an'd Great Britain to “pool” their fleets, their armies, and their air forces, and keep the peace by adequately policing the world. World peace does not lie in the establishment of any “new economic order.” Our politicians have established one already in this Dominion, and, I ask you, where is it taking us? Those who have instituted it do not know, and jierhaps they don’t care. Under it thousands have benefited, and thousands more have suffered grievious losses and following hardships. But then if. we read history aright it will be clear that all our hardships have their seats in inexperienced authority. —I am, etc., J. D. SIEVWiRIGHT. Wellington, August.2o.