U.S. Economic Aid Will Help To Block Communism

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 April 1950, Page 6

U.S. Economic Aid Will Help To Block Communism

WASHINGTON, March 30.—The people of the world’s backward areas were not concerned with the abstract ideas of democracy and Communism, the Secretary of State (Mr Dean Acheson) told the Foreign Relations Committee of the United States Senate today. “These people are interested in practical solutions to their problems, in terms of food, shelter, and a decent livelihood,” Mr Acheson continued. “The Communists, when they offer quick, easy remedies for all these ills, make a strong appeal to these people.” Mr Acheson said that any cut in the allocation of 45,000,000 dollars sought for President Truman’s programme to aid the under-developed areas of the world would retard the efforts to check Communism in Asia.

“Any cuts in the funds would be interpreted by the peoples of the free countries of Asia, the Middle East, and other under-developed areas, as indicating a lack of interest in the programme, upon which they have been putting very great hopes.” Mr Acheson continued. The proposed appropriation was a very careful estimate of what was needed for the 12 months beginning on July 1. [The United States Administration has said that a major share of the funds allocated foi* the first year of programme for aiding under-devel-oped countries will go to South-east Asian nations who are resisting Communism.]

Mr Acheson said that approval of the funds for the programme would mean that authority would be given for sending technical, health, scientific, industrial and public administration missions to the world’s backward areas.

The programme was a long-term one. In some fields, its results would not show for five or 10 years, or even longer. Mr Acheson promised that new markets and sources of raw materials would be opened up to the United States through the programme. Europe would also benefit in a similar* way, and the volume of world trade would inevitably expand.

“What we need to do in most cases is to try to help the peoples of un-der-developed countries to satisfy their growing desire to learn to do things for themselves which will lighten their burden of poverty,” Mr Acheson said. He added that the United States was seeking treaties to protect American investors in areas which would benefit under the aid plan. The United States Government proposed to insure investors against the expropriation and confiscation of properties, and foreign currency risks. World Importance Of South-east Asia LONDON, March 31.—“ The problem of economic development in South-east Asia is immediate, and vital, economically and politically for the whole world,” said Mr Patrick Gordon Walker, Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations, in a speech at a dinner given by the New Zealand Society to the British Isles Rugby football team which sails in the on April 1. “When the consultative committee meets in a few weeks as a result of a Colombo conference • recommendation, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and other members of the Commonwealth will pool their ideas and plans in a determination to see peace and prosperity in the world. “The chief problems facing the Commonwealth countries, both from within and without, are the two threats of economic instability and Communism. They are as great a danger as was Fascism 10 years ago. No country can fight those dangers singlehanded.” Mr Gordon Walker wished the British team good luck and said that games and visits of this kind were a fine contribution to Commonwealth relations.