GERMANY’S PLIGHT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23014, 17 October 1936, Page 15

GERMANY’S PLIGHT

ECONOMIC POSITION DREAD OF THE WINTER While to the general surprise, Herr Hitler’s'diatribes against Russia were slightly moderated at the close of the Nuremberg Congress, the exact pm- ; pose of his virulence, especially m reference to the Urals and the Ukraine, i is arousing speculation. It is gener . ally thought that the Fuhrer had other aims in view .than that of increasing the antagonism of the Soviet. | The oratory of Herr Hitler is sus- : pected of being intended, to some ex- | tent, for internal consumption. The conclusion now drawn is that the sen- | ous restlessness which has manifested itself in Germany, owing to the economic plight of the country, has compelled Herr Hitler to renew his vigorous campaigns to rally the nation. ! Germany faces another winter with a shortage of food, and foreign exchange difficulties remain as serious as ever. Expenditure is rising, taxation increasing, and the people are wondering how much longer they must continue their tremendous personal “'•NAZI'S GREAT FOUR YEARS’ PLAN 1 Herr Hitler is now intensifying his campaign lor the nationalisation of ;

industry. Although bitterly antagonistic to the Soviet, he is reported to be deeply interested in the Russian system and somewhat envious because he fears that Russia is becoming the model National-Socialist State. The great Nazi scheme for making Germany independent of foreign raw materials within four years is being watched with the keenest interest in Britain, as it is evident that the Germans will make titanic efforts to produce economic substitutes for wool, rubber, and oil. It will be a tremendous test of German ingenuity and resources. As has been pointed out, the German Government has already poured out millions in developing synthetic raw materials without outstanding results. Nothing can overcome Germany’s deficiency. DEVELOPMENT OF OIL PRODUCTION Oil-drilling programmes are already estimated to have cost Germany 26 million marks: a sum of 165 million marks has been granted for the erection of 12 staple fibre factories, and several hundred million marks have been spent in developing the production of oil from coal. Credits and subsidies have hitherto been the only method of stimulating the production of raw materials. Un der the new plan, it is foreseen that the Government will compel industries to erect new works, using their own liquid assets. State aid will be restricted to undertakings which’ lack the necessary capital. It is expected that in some cases the State will guarantee minimum prices for raw materials thus produced and