RECONSTRUCTION OF BELGIUM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18466, 30 January 1922, Page 6

RECONSTRUCTION OF BELGIUM.

, .. . RAPID PROGRESS MADE. Monsieur A. F. J. Nihotte, who has arrived in Melbourne to assume duty as viceconsul at the Belgian Consulate-General, is a firm believer in the ultimate Recovery of his country from the crippling efforts of the German invasion (says tho Argus). M., Nihotte, who visited -Australia before the war on the training ship L’Avenir, volunteered for active service when war broke out , and served with the colours for five yours. After the war he studied at the University of Antwerp, a/id subsequently gained the diploma which qualified him for appointment as vice-consul.' M, Nihotte Said that the spirit of the Belgian people, was excellent." Tho reconstruction of the devastated areas was proceeding rapidly. In order to continue, this work, however, additional funds would be necessary, and Belgium was awaiting the German reparations payments. “Great Britain aeems to be giving away 'her part,” he remarked. “We will not give away ours. We need the money.” “Financial and industrial problems are impeding tho progress of tho country,” said M. Nihotte, “but the workers axe anxious to produce more goods. Taxation is very heavy, and the cost of living, which has increased more in Belgium educe the armistice than in any other country, is still very high, and is not being reduced to any extent. There is much unemployment. Wages are high, and German competition is felt keenly. A new tariff Bill and antidumping legislation have been passed with tho object of making German goods more expensive. The Belgian workmen are renowned all over the world. The Germans destroyed a great deal of our machinery, but we have renewed it in the meat modem way. The spirit of our workmen is excellent, and H ia responsible for the steady improvement in our position. The people want to save money, and tho relations between employers and employees are excellent.” Reconstruction would occupy many years, M. Nihotte said. Some of the devastated buildings were still in the condition in which the Germans had left them. It would bo impossible to restore many. Belgium did not have the money to reconstruct quiok|y; that was why ehe was anxious to receive Ihe German payments. Hie architectural beauty of several of the most famous buildings; would never bo restored. No decision bad been reached in regard to Ypres. One section of tho people which. had the sympathy of the British public was anxious that the ruined city should bo preserved in its present state, but another section urged that it should be reconstructed. The Cloth Hall at Ypres would never be rebuilt. The library would bo restored shortly, owing to financial assistance from the nations. Plans for the reconstruction of the university library at Louvain had been made by Mr Warren tho groat American architect. M. Nihotte referred to the {peat increase in Belgian shipping tonnage since tho war. Ono company, the Belgian Lloyd, owned 600,000 tons, but, the question of freights was us acute in Belgium as in Great Britain, Australia, and the United States. Great improvements would be made to the port of Antwerp, which was likely to become the first port on the Continent. Tho city of Antwerp bad been only slightly damaged during the German occupation, although some "of the suburbs near the forts had been shelled. The universities, which were closed during the war, had been reopened, and were overcrowded. In Louvain there were more than 3000 students. Industrial and technical schools bod been re-estab-lished, and education was compulsory up to the age of 14 years. The activities of the country were turning to a great extent on the Belgian Congo. A colonial institute hod been established at Antwerp, with the object of teaching all that was necessary in colonial service. t “The onlydifficulty for Belgium,” M. Nihotte added, “will be the Gemma payments. For the rest, there is no doubt,that Belgium will recover tho place she held in the world before the war.” "