OUTLOOK IN GERMANY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21736, 30 August 1932, Page 9

OUTLOOK IN GERMANY

BETTER TIMES AHEAD REINVIGORATING INDUSTRY GOVERNMENT'S PROPOSALS > ": : (United Press Association;) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) BERLIN, August 28. "Signs of improvement indicate that the bottom of the depression has been reached. All efforts to reinvigorate industry will contribute to an actual revival," said Herr von Papen, in a broadeast speech, which was relayed through out Germany. Outlining the Govern- , ment's proposals to assist industry to absorb-the unemployed, Herr von Papen prefaced his economic programme with a bitter attack on the Nazis. Referring to the Beuthen sentences he declared that he was opposed to the arbitrary use of the law in the interests of one class or party. "That is the Marxists' conception which I reject, even if it is advocated by ithe Nazis. The impulsive • recklessness manifested in Herr Hitler s proclamation does, not speak in,favour ,of his claims for leadership of the Government. I do not concede him the right to consider that the minority following his flag constitutes the German nation and to regard all others aB outlaws. I am resolved to mete equal jus- ' tice, using force if necessary. I am determined to extinguish the smouldering fires of civil war and suppress the increasing unrest and acts of violence which are hindering Germany's' reconstruction." ; '"-.', _ Herr von Papen said the Government desired no devaluation of the Reichsmark by currency experiments. The main point was to end deflation, which eaused unemployment. The Government proposed to undertake an extensive programme of public works, but it realised that relief schemes could not abolish . unemployment; therefore it -aimed at inducing private industry to employ more • workers/ The idea of a compulsory loan to raise f 100,000,000 to finance the Government's plans had been abandoned as impracticable. It was proposed to enlist the existing liquid resources of industry by returning to the taxpayers in the form of certificates all taxes, calculated to hinder production, such as the turnover, property, and transportation taxes due between November, 1932, and November 1933, amounting to £75,000,000. The taxpayers would be entitled to borrow from the Reichsbank amounts equivalent . to the certificates, which must be used in business and be repaid between 1934 . and 1938. Additionally, £35,000,000 would be advanced to firms employing more workers on a basis of £2O a year for each additional worker. It was - hoped to absorb a total of 1,750,000 unemployed. The employers would be r authorised to cut wages, but not below the minimum necessary for existence, \ and conditionally on the savings being .used to engage additional employees. Herr von Papen concluded with a r-' warning that though the; Government '}■:■•■ would adhere to, constitutional principles it declined .to surrender its authority to the tactical manoeuvres of the Reichstag parties. '■•:,,'.■■■■■"• ■■"■■> ■ '■■ NO FURTHER -SOCIALISATION. '\ ,'- BERLIN, August 29. , August-29, at 8.p.m.) In his broadcast speech, Herr von Papen, as a Conservative, emphasised that he was opposed to further socialisaition. He favoured broad, simple .' measures with a minimum of State in- '"" terferenceV • "and r 'he, 'fbreshadowed; a J further moderate' reduction of imports, which must, however, be brought into harmony with' Germany's export interests, a problem which, he admitted, was difficult. \ - THE GOVERNMENT'S POSITION./ ■ SUPPORT FROM PRESIDENT.; -LONDON, August 29.' (Received August ,29, at' 8 p.m.) The Berlin correspondent of the British United Press deduces from Herr ■■ ■" von Papen's confident note that President. Hindenburg has assured him of \ support and the Government will defend the position even if the Catholics and Hitlerites coalesce. . Nevertheless, it is improbable that the Reichstag on meet- ; ing on Tuesday will surrender to the Government, in which event the Reich- ' stag,will be short-lived. BRITISH PRESS COMMENT. ' ' LONDON, August 29. (Received August 29, at 8.15 p.m.) The newspapers feature Germany's plan for self-salvation, with emphasis on ■ -.Herr-von Papen's boldness, but some i doubt whether the scheme is wise or workable. '•.;"'; The Morning Post editorially pays a tribute to, Herr von Papen's courage as he has no party in the Reichstag and cannot hope to conciliate the political parties. The paper adds: "Germany .•' apparently likes being governed with Jack boots.". . The Daily Telegraph says: "This immense and costly programme for the re- ■'.-.'• rival of industry and absorption of unemployment has many dubious aspects, most of all the assumption that such a task can be achieved by a Government which has to reckon with the violent • hostility of almost all politically conscious Germans."