Hoffman’s Praise For British Effort

Northern Advocate, 9 December 1948, Page 5

Hoffman’s Praise For British Effort

LONDON, Wed. (11.30 a.m.)—The European Cooperation Administrator (Mr Paul Hoffman) today praised British attempts at recovery and efforts to gain better standards of living and higher productivity.

Speaking at a Press conference Mr Hoffman said: “The efforts the British Government is making to increase output are highly commendable. “I have never seen a better campaign or plan to bring out productivity than the one carried on in Britain.”

Mr Hoffman emphasised that the ECA programme did not foster state socialism.

“The last thing we want is anything like the Russian five-year plan which attempts to compress human spirit into a table,” he said. “I believe in as much economic freedom as possible.” Mr Hoffman, answering a question on steel nationalisation, said: “Whatever Britain does with her economy is her business. “Whatever we do with our dollars is ours.

“As far as I gather there is no prospect of nationalisation for some 18 months, and then we may have to face it in a practical way.” Mr Hoffman leaves for China tonight, “as under present conditions adjustments have to be made in aid to that country.”