“ALL SHE WANTS"

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 27 October 1928, Page 10

“ALL SHE WANTS"

“ENOUGH TO ‘PAY’ .AMERICA” (To the Editor) Sir, —The cabled reference to Britain’s attitude concerning war debts, published under the above heading in “The Alail” last Wednesday, is a useful reminder of some very important matters. Besides arousing pride of race in every true Briton, it calls for some serious reflection. The fact that “all she wants’’ from Germany and her former European allies is sufficient money to pay her ally across the Atlantic, means that the British taxpayers at Home have to meet the whole of Britain’s own war debt.. In other words, the people of the British Isles are struggling under a crushing war debt which was incurred in great measure to enable Britain to do America’s share of the fighting until she was ready to come in. We all know of these tilings, and we read of unemployment in Britain. Wie also send mfijions of pounds annually to the United States for motor cars, petrol, and all the rest of it; millions which Britain lias paid to us for our primary products. Our over generous patronage of a- country which exacts the last dollar r.f “war debt” from Britain serves to keep the Yankee workman employed and prosperous,- while the ranks of British unemployed are maintained at a level which is a constant embarrassment to their government" The United States Government erected a tariff wall against our dairy produce which effectually precludes sales of that produce there which would result in bringing American gold here. And in the face of all this we feel aggrieved if tiie London market value of our primary product falls below a level which will enable us to buy anew American car when the American one we already have is worn out.. Is it playing the game with Britain? Is it playing- safe for ourselves? Surely such a policy means economic suicide. \ I am, etc., HUGH FRASER. Murchison, 26th October.