The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1935. AS OTHERS SEE US.

Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1935, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. TUESDAY, JANUARY 15, 1935. AS OTHERS SEE US.

The views of Germany in respect to Continental matters, are not without interest. One of the leading German newspapers in a survey of world economic conditions at the new year, described the British Commonwealth cf nations, as •‘an Empire of fortunate isles.’’ it commented that strewn over live continents, the Empire countries rise like islands from a sea of depression. Few other countries are on the upgrade. It considers that England s deep-rooted capital resources form the main source of the revival, and the impulse to invest capiti 1 is so strong that the State is able to forgo interventions which always lead to new difficulties. Likewise, the British hanking system a« typified by the Bank of England’s open market policy, is praised. This l.ttkv outside a.ipr. edition. should he something of a tonic to our vanity. We hear so often of a decadent Empire, land of a doleful outlook, that it is of some advantage to have the viewpoint of another from a. fresh angle. The view which the German newspaper takes is in a comparative strain, no doubt. It can he understood that the economic conditions of Germany are acute, for following the war and the internal disturbances, the trading and monetary machines much have been out of gear r-'onsiiWrahly. It is good to l learn, nevertheless, that during; last year, unemployment decreased by 37 per cent in Germany, and production increased by 20 per cent. Those peicentages are considerable in relation to the figures involved and suggest Germany is on the road to economic recovery, ’which i s of' importance to the world at large. It is said, however, that the foreign trade situation is Germany’s darkest .ch ild this year, but even this may lift if the negotiations in hand with ad'minimt nations take the right share. Confidence appears to he returning.; i n Europe, and j that will earrv in its train much international benefit. But the German description of the British Isles and dependencies should carry some tomfort, for ,it is an answer, in part at least, to the d l?ful critics who assert critical times are nlicd. The o'd order, however, is charging, and outlooks must 'be revised from the new vantage point bein.r ndooh'd. Polit'os are very,much in the melting pot so far as parties are concerned. The age-old divisions in the British system have disappeared, and, there is more unity of aim and action than ever before. It is becoming a-question as to how fast it is advisable for democracy to advance in the changing order. The many details of individual political parties have disappeared to glitc place almost- entirely to economic conditions. These are being composed between the nations by various devices, calling for patiente arc! loresight. In that trust, Britain appears to have 'at the head of affairs statesmen of ‘wisdom and understanding. They realise the task not only for their own country, but for the benefit of other nations with which the Empire’s fortunes in trade and intercourse are hound up. That appears to he the secret of Britain’s fortunate position economically, and why the nation is coining to be trusted more and more by other nations. Actually, the German newspaper comment is a compliment of high degree, for it is a realisation of the policy which has wo n through, when other efforts have failed,, or fallen short of the ideals attempted.