BRITAIN’S RECOVERY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 3, 3 December 1931, Page 11

BRITAIN’S RECOVERY.

WOULD HELP THE WORLD. The senior British Trade Commissioner in Australia (Mr R. W. Dalton), who passed through Fremantle on the liner Orama after a visit to England, said that the rehabilitation of Australia depended upon the rehabilitation of Great Britain. Some time ago, it would have been a comparatively easy matter for Britain to help Australia to: her feet, he added, but recent events had put such action temporarily out of the question. Britain’s immediate vital necessity was a balanced budget this year, and her next was a correction of the balance of trade. Steps had been taken to achieve both ends by economies and by limitation of imports. There was a possibility, Mr Dalton continued, that certain of Britain’s foreign debtors would before long plead inability to meet commitments on the due dates. Consequently, the budget must be balanced and industries revived. The economic welfare of Britain, the Empire, and the world were interdependent. It was fairly safe to assume that if Britain and the Empire weathered the storm, the rest of the world would be enabled to do so. Disaster to the Empire could only be averted by the intelligent co-operation of every part. Australia’s welfare was utterly dependent on that of Britain and self-interest should prompt Australia to do everything possible to help Britain to help herself. The stimulation of British commerce and industry was a vital necessity. Australia could best help to maintain the Empire’s integrity and continuing ascendancy by buying Empire goods exclusively.