TIMELY TOPICS

Northern Advocate, 9 December 1936, Page 6

TIMELY TOPICS

FRENCH TRADE COMPETITION,

“We ourselves may have to face new French competition,” writes Mr Norman Crump in the “Sunday Times” (London), “but our trade will gain in the long run far more than it loses. Nor will the devaluation of the franc involve any sacriricc of cur economic freedom. The pound remains free from gold, and we can still pursue our policy of cheap money and expansion of internal trade. Finally, as the world recovers economic freedom and is able to win back its former trade and prosperity, it will become easier to solve outstanding political problems. A hungry nation is always a icstless nation, and as economic problems are solved political questions lose their sharpness, and also tend to disappear.

For these reasons, the 1936 devaluation of the franc may prove a major turning-point in post-war history.” a ia s sa MEANING OF DICTATORSHIP Bertrand Russell, in a recent article, says: Since no dictatorship can thrive upon the truth, official teaching must consist largely of falsehood, and there cannot, even when the dictatorship is well (established, be any free expression of opinion or any unfettered dissemination of knowledge. There cannot, in such circumstances, be much hope of improvement except- as the result of defeat in a foreign war. These reflections-, however, are perhaps unduly gloomy. It is difficult in these days to keep a nation completely insulated from all contact with others, and foreign travel must, sooner or later, reveal the fact that life under a dictatorship iis more gloomy than life in an ati mesphero of freedom and variety. | Dictatorships are a fashion, but, like other fashions, will pass. Let ns hope 1 that they will pass soon. | igl fej ® iS Words of Wisdom.

The applause of a single human being is of great consequence. — Dr. Johnson.

m si i m ..m Tale of the Day.

Dog Fancier: “A dog will stay with a fellow when he hasn't got a cent.” Cat Fancier: “Yes, and so will a bill collector! ”