AID TO ALLIES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20258, 28 May 1940, Page 11

AID TO ALLIES

INDIA'S CONTRIBUTION ECONOMIC FUNCTIONS CENTRE OF SUPPLY EXPANDING INDUSTRY (Elec. Td. Copyright—United Tress Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY. May 26. India’s economic contribution to the Allied war effort, already impressive, is steadily expanding, both in volume and diversity. Her geographical position, haying regard to strategic considerations, makes it clear that her most important economic function is to act as a supply centre for all points of consequence from Egypt to Malaya. Comparison between India’s economic contribution in the Great War and the present one discloses two vital differences. Firstly, India is far better prepared to meet calls xipon her. In the last war she was hampered by her inadequate economic equipment and it was not until 1917 that the organisation created began to function in an effective fashion. Secondly, the intervening years have seen remarkable developments in the industrial output. India has advanced to a prominent place among the great industrial nations of the world and nowadays it is not ci iy her vast reserves of raw materials which are of consequence, but also the variety r.nd quality of her manufacturers. At the same time when the expansion schemes are complete it is anticipated that India will become an important centre of munition production, able not only to meet her own needs but to an appreciable extent those of the Allied forces abroad. Even now it is computed that India manufactures 90 per cent of her war requirements.