CONDITIONS ABROAD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22742, 30 November 1935, Page 19

CONDITIONS ABROAD

PROSPERITY IN BRITAIN OTHER COUNTRIES LESS FORTUNATE (Special to Daily Times ) AUCKLAND, November 29. That England to-day was the most prosperous country in the world was the opinion expressed by Mr L. S. Abraham, K.C., a prominent Sydney barrister, who was a through passenger on the Monterey. Mr Abraham, who during a world tour travelled through France, Austria, Hungary, Norway, America, and England, gave particular attention to the economic conditions ruling in various countries. There was no doubt about the prosperity of England, said Mr Abraham. It was apparent in almost every phase of life. A good deal of this prosperity could be accounted for by the extreme loyalty of the people and the fearless, yet solid and statesmanlike methods adopted in international as well as internal matters. The jubilee celebrations were a magnificent gesture of the loyalty of the people, and many foreigners who were in England on that occasion were amazed at the demonstrations of loyalty which confronted them on every side. The United front shown by the British, political parties and people generally in the matter of sanctions against Italy could have only had a deterrent effect on the war-mongers. European countries had the highest regard for Britain. “There is also a form of prosperity in America,” said Mr Abraham, “ but I am afraid that the prosperity in the States is more apparent than real. There is plenty of money about and a tremendous amount of spending is going on.” Since his visit to America in 1933, said Mr Abraham, there had been an obvious decline in the Democrat support. The apparent prosperity was without doubt the direct result of an inflationary policy, but it could not be compared with the solid budgeting prosperity of England. Any signs of depression in England were definitely disappearing.

In Austria, Mr Abraham relied on the gossip of the street and cafes for information on the economic conditions of the country. Wherever he went, however, there was a decided air of apprehension among the people. There was wonder and surmise about Germany’s intentions. The general impression among the people was that Austria would be absorbed by Germany eventually, and fear of international complications had cast a gloom over many parts of the country.