CHANGING GERMANY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 18 August 1933, Page 2

CHANGING GERMANY

ECONOAIIC FACTORS BEHIND PRESENT POLICY

Although he lias been away from Germany nearly two years, Dr. Heinz Krause, an agricultural economist of the University of Jena, is very much in favour of the present regime in his Fatherland, especially as it concerns the German Government's agricultural poliev Interviewed by the Christchurch “Press lie gave a brief review of the economic conditions in Germany which had led up to the present situation. The present situation, he said, had been brought about by forces previously existing in the economic situation in post-war Germany. After the war Germany had built up lier more or less destroyed industries with the help of foreign capital, until in 1928 it Was nearly the most Americanised State m Europe. Only a big export surplus could make it possible to pay the tribute due. (“We call it ‘tribute,’’ ” lie said, “while you call it ‘reparations.’ ”) When German industry was ready to undertake that large export the depression started, and the exports declined instead of increasing. Then followed the . need for immediate economic reorganisation. No money was available to pay for the large imports of agricultural foodstuffs. Consequently the German Government was forced to increase the country’s.-own agricultural production at any price, and a definite agricultural policy was formulated. This policy was continued without substantial change under Dr. H. Bruening, Herr F. von Papen, and the present Chancellor (Herr Adolf Hitler). The only difference was that the present Government was moving more quickly and with less regard for small obstacles in the way of that policy.