THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a newspaper. FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 1948. Chancellor Speaks To New Zealanders

Northern Advocate, 9 January 1948, Page 2

THE NORTHERN ADVOCATE Registered for transmission through the Post as a newspaper. FRIDAY JANUARY 9, 1948. Chancellor Speaks To New Zealanders

The Chancellor of the Exchequer. Sir Stafford Cripps, discussing the United States proposal for aid fo" Western Europe under the Marshall

Plan, uttered a warning which, while directed particularly to the United Kingdom, has significant application to all countries, not excluding New Zealand. Sir Stafford, while stressing the plight of Britain if the proposed aid did not materialise, warned the nation that "we must not count on it.” This is sound advice which, if heeded by mdividuals, families, communities and nations as a whole, would save many of the heartburnings, regrets and disasters suffered by those who. rather than making the best use of opportunities, and striving to strengthen the foundations of independence, are content to fritter away means obtained in good times in the hope that windfalls will be gathered if times should become hard.

This may be thought an unnecessarily homely interpretation of what Sir Stafford Cripps intended to convery to the oeople of Britain, who. listening to a less intelligent and less forthright leader, might be tempted to rely upon American aid rather than exert a supreme effort to put their country on its feet and thus make it the better able to face adversity if the expected aid should not be forthcoming, or to make better use of it if it did become available.

Everyone, said the Chancellor, was conscious of the far-sighted generosity of the Marshall Plan as an aid to world recovery, but, he warned the nation, the plan would not allow any “let up” and it would not go on for ever.

“We must." he said, “rely upon outown efforts rather than upon any form of outside aid, and let us have no doubts that these efforts will have to be determined and sustained.” These are incontrovertible statements and there need be little doubt that the people of Britain, by and large, will heed the Chancellor’s warning.

At the same time, it is admittedly tragic that after the years of heroicresistance and self-sacrifice through which they passed during a war to the winning of which they contributed more than can be estimated, it should be necessary for them to undergo further privations. The Chancellor’s warning has a lesson for New Zealanders who. despite what some may say to the contrary. are a favoured people, even if, as in other countries, though to lesser extent, the pound which

used to go a long way. now has much less strength. They should not forget, however, that their prosperity is dependent upon the ability of the British people to pay substantia] prices for the primary products which form the Dominion's main source of income.

Their prosperity also depends upon the determination of the producers to increase output of exportable commodities, and upon those employed in secondary industries, as well as the great host who are employees of the State and private employers, to conserve their own and the country's wealth by avoiding waste and extravagance, thus making savings which, as in Britain’s relation to the Marshall Plan, will stand them in good stead if prosperous times continue, or if they should not do so.

While there is solid truth in the contention that hoarding on a largescale is the best means by which the wheels of progress may be braked, it is equally true that individuals who adopt the “eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die” policy, too often become a public encumbrance.

While it is true that an empty pocket does not permit wasteful spending, a reasonably full pocket should be regarded by individual or nation as an opportunity freely to spend on essentials and to save any surplus. It may well be asked in this connection whether the devotion of £44,000.000 to betting on the totalisator and with bookmakers in 1916 was wise procedure on the part of New Zealanders at a time when the world is in a chaotic state.

The “eat. drink and be merry” devotee may reply that social security. child allowances, and t!r many forms of state aid which have become the law of the land in recent years make economy and saving un-

necessary. Do they? Rather does the provision of these forms of state aid demand more industry on the part of citizens and less waste of time and money, for it cannot be denied that the ability of the State to grant financial aid depends upon the extent to which the people provide the money required for distribution as grants, subsidies and so forth. Sir Stafford Cripps’ advice to the people of Britain not to count upon American aid, but to rely upon their own efforts, may well be heeded by New Zealand, whose citizens, blessed with unique material advantages, should do everything in their power to capitalise, not waste, those advantages while they are available.