Timely Topics

Northern Advocate, 20 February 1939, Page 6

Timely Topics

“There is striking, resemblance between the attitudes' adopted by British statesmep to Bismarck and those

which, afe being adopted how, says “The Scotsman.”

BISMARCK AND HITLER.

“Bismarck’?; own past contributed to ,the distru&t with which he was viewed, so, that even when he meant, peace he could not safely be believed. It may, lj>e said that Herr Hitler is in the sarpe position. Efforts have been made, and are still being made, to discover a basis for establishing normal relations with Germany and Italy. Mi Chamberlain has his peace declaration, M. Bonnet has' Herr Ribbenitrop’s signature to a similar document, | and Mr Chamberlain has also the ‘Rome Treaty; but of a true settle* ment there is not yet a promising sign. In shaping a policy of reconciliation, statesmen cannot move much

ahead of public opinion, Herr Hitler’s ill-treatment of the Jew.i has released a store of public indignation which makes progress toward sbetter ' relations almost impossible v for the I present.” , •.

m SI H ® Some false alarms, h?ve been raised among a section of British industrialists by New Zealand’s decision to i / subject British imports to

N.Z. AND BRITAIN.

new licensing restrictions. . . . Superficially the Brit-

ish manufacturers appear to have a strong case. In 1937 British exports to New Zealand were only £28,000,000 (New Zealand currency) as against £50,000,000: imports;. But this, in the first place, vwasra great improvement, as compared., with the year 1932, when the, figures., were £ 12,575,000 and £31,300,000 respectively. And, secondly, Britain’s invisible exports shipping charges, cost of in* terest, etc., are not. included;in. these figures. :■ - ,rsui-:vr New Zealand found itself recently in the position that its excess-of exports to all- countries was not enough to cover its invisible imports. What was it to do?:: li could rtakemore manufactured goods from-Britain if Britain could contrive to take * more of its farming produce; But the British farming community also has to be considered. In its present distressed state it would Have every reason to complain if it were further , undercut by New Zealand imports in the interest of British manufacturers, Indeed, the time has coined when Dominions like New Zealand and Australia must be expected to tu¥n 7 to the task of developing rhahufacturing industries of their own. If' this 'bourse is followed, the Dominions irtay become more prosperous and have more to spend; in the long run they; may be larger importers than they are now. It may well be that this will be better for both countries, and better for the Empire. >■