BIG BUSINESS

Grey River Argus, 10 September 1941, Page 7

BIG BUSINESS

DEVOID OF PATRIOTISM

(By

R. McTaggart. Junr.)

According to a cable from Montreal, Sept. 4th., we learn that large shipments of oil are to be made available to Spain in an effort to keep that country from entering the war on the side of the Axis. So the policy of appeasement is still to be continued! Big Business does not seem prepared to profit by the results of this policy, which has proved so disastrous in the past. Does it not occur to these “patriotic gentlemen” that by supplying General Franco they are actually strengthening his needs and requirements, which will eventually place him in a position to wage war, and wage it more effectively? These individuals indulging in Power politics, however, are not endowed with such a mental deficiency as not to realise the hopelessness of such a policy. As a matter of fact, the cable states that the appeasement to Japan has had to he abandoned. But not before this same class of persons had presented Japan with war requirements that are threatening to take the form of a boomerang, rebounding with untold ferocity on the very country, in which reside these Power politicians. Should war suddenly flare in the Pacific, we in New Zealand must also prepare ourselves to withstand, and suffer the consequences of the high explosive bomb, manufactured in U.S.A, and carried by planes using petrol and oil supplied by the same country. Not satisfied with the failure that appeasement had in regard to Japan, big business is applying the same methods to Spain. Those who followed events in Spain during the civil war, know that these some persons stood aloof to the appeals of the Spanish Government for arms, oil and other war requirements, in order to combat the forces of Hitler and Mussolini. General Franco, from whose external and internal make-up oozes fascist poison, was put into power by our enemies of to-day. On his right sits Senor Suner, who is both Foreign Minister and head of the Falange Party, the only political party permitted in Spain, villifies us at every opportunity and bows his head in ardent and reverent admiration of the Nazi regime.

Was the taking of Tangier, some months ago the gesture of a neutral? Could it not be part of the German plan to gain control of the gate to the Mediterranean, Gibraltar, and for Spain to regain her lost territory? Even after this unfriendly act by Nationalist Spain, we find the British Government giving a loan of £2,500,000 to that country! Spain may at the present be non-belliger-ent, but her acts, her gestures, and the statements of her leaders are certainly not neutral. How do we know that these loans, and the oil and petrol that is to be supplied by the U.S.A, will not eventually reach Germany? We certainly know which country Franco favours most, and such an act would be in keeping with his previous actions. } The individuals indulging in Power politics have sufficient intelligence to realise this, yet their latest policy of appeasement to a fascist State, suggest that as long as profits can be derived, the opportunity must be taken no matter what the consequences.

Big Business assuredly has no patriotism.