RAW MATERIALS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20639, 20 August 1941, Page 5

RAW MATERIALS

CONTROL AFTER WAR WORLD POOL URGED 'MR. BEVIN’S SUGGESTION (British Official Wireless.) Reed. 11 a.m. RUGBY, Aug. 19. The Minister of Labour, Mr. Ernest Bevin, made striking proposals regarding the control of raw materials, in a speech at the annual conference of the Transport and General Workers’ Union. He said the countries dealing in primary products would have a greater say in future in world affairs than hitherto. The British Commonwealth, China, United States and Russia would probably play the role that none up till now ever conceived in the future organisation of the world. One of the striking declarations in the Churchill-Roosevelt statement dealt with raw materials. Mr. Bevin said he thought that what applied to raw materials would apply largely to certain primary goods. They must no longer be subject to speculation: they must be organised. If he had his way he would introduce for the raw materials of the world something in the nature of the postage stamp principle. He would pool them internationally, pool freight facilities and make a charge for their use with international control. These proposals, he believed, would relieve some of the primary causes of international struggle. He hoped the declaration meant not only free access to raw materials, but the working out of a system whereby these great basic materials would be free to mankind on equal terms.