A SENSIBLE PROPOSAL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIV, Issue 14039, 23 April 1920, Page 3

A SENSIBLE PROPOSAL.

The idea of eminent bankers which induced the League of Nations to invite representatives of '25 countries, including New Zealand, to a conference to be held at Brussels at the end of May, seems to be a reasonable outcome of the abnormal economic conditions produced by war's dislocations. A discussion by those who have closely considered the position as a matter of necessity ought not to be' fraught with any danger to the participating countries, which, after all. would not necessarily be bound by any opinions expressed by their representatives. It was wise of Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer to declare that, whilst Britain was willing to participate, it would not sanction a. scheme involving further large Government loans, but it . is difficult to understand the persistent antagonism of the United. States to a cordial union of the world's Powers to achieve a,readjustment of the world's economic affairs which might be expected to operate to the advantage of all. If America has suffered anything through the war it is a plethoraof wealth which has come to her as a result of misfortune to those peoples who warded off a blow which might have been disastrous to even so great and powerful a country. But in all her post-war policy she has treated those who suffered the greatest sacrifices as though they had been unworthy of a second thought. And now she has met this latest suggestion of an attempt to ■correct the world's economic difficulties, | with all the attendant suffering, as though behind it was some sinister design to rob her of some of the wealth which poured into her during the war's disastrous period. To refuse to participate in the proposal in a whole-hearted fashion and to assume an attitude which might have been appropriate had she been beset by a host of insatiable beggars is not in keeping with the professions and high traditions of a. country which the world expects to be one of the chief elements in the correction and amelioration of suffering humanity. The attendance of an irresponsible representative of the State's Chambers of Commerce at the conference might add dignity to the. occasion; but, to use the graphic language of the country, that would "cut no ice."