HITLER'S REALM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24372, 9 August 1940, Page 5

HITLER'S REALM

SULLEN PEOPLES MAT PROVE LIABILITIES RISK OF REBELLION (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, Aug. 7. Opening the discussion on economic organisation for war in the House of Commons, the Minister without Portfolio, Mr Arthur Greenwood, said: "Hitler's latest speech painted a rosy picture of Germany's economic strength. He claimed that his total supplies for his Army ami Air Force were considerably greater than before the invasion of the Low Countries. That doubtless is true, as it is true of Britain. Hitler commands West Europe from the Arctic Circle to the Pyrenees, a vast coastline of 2000 miles; but we must not assume that this overwhelming asset brought many millions under his sway. We must not assume that he has made millions of friends.

" Hitler rules sullen peoples, Mho may prove liabilities, not assets. He may rob them to feed the Germans, but cannot add starvation to slavery without risk of rebellion. ' Serious problems, which are intensifying every day, beset Hitler, who boasts that his food supplies are guiranteed as long as the war lasts. I wonder!

"The multitude of refugees have trampled down the growing corn; the German tanks devastated much of the countryside; the German crops are not very good. They will begin to feel the pinch of the food problem more seriously next spring. " Our deadly bombing undoubtedly has most seriously interfered with Hitler's production of war materials, and it is difficult, if nol impossible, to repair the damage to productive enterprises and to lines of communication. For a considerable time Hitler will need to draw more and more on his reserves. The more vigorously he prosecutes the war the more rapidly will those reserves disappear.

"We have taken measures to ensure that he does not draw sustenance from foreign sources. Not only Germany, but the controlled territories will be unable to trade with the outside world. Hitler's supplies of coal henceforth will be very short. He can hope to produce or procure not more than half the 20,000,000 tons of oil normally consumed throughout Hitler's territories.

" This war, involving whole populations, demands economic organisation on a scale hitherto unknown. I admit it is not yet fully achieved. There is no doubt that the policy of rushing the production of essential weapons of war in the last three months has resulted in very substantial increases in vital supplies, but we must. remember the possibility of a long war. The priority system has not worked as well as it should. We are now considering further measures to ensure that materials, plant, and labour are effectively used for the production programme. " Provisions have been made against the destruction of factories from the air, with plans for rebuilding, while'reserve plants have been erected'. The German occupation of the Low Countries increased immensely the need to draw from the vast invulnerable productive caoacity of North America. The task of buying from the. United States has become very complex." Production Programme

"Only a few months ago we were placing orders in America to supplement our deficiencies. The combined Allied production now needs to embark on a much more extensive programme, which must be related to the United States defence preparations. We also need to coordinate our requirements with those of the dominions. The policy of anchoring prices of essential commodities will be continued m order to ensure unimpaired the health of the nation. There are adequate supplies of the necessities of life, v\e are doing everything possible to increase our exports, but the possif bilities are not too rosy at present. The shipping position is not too bad. The port capacity has not been very seriously impaired. If the enemy hopes to starve us out he is very greatly mistaken. Starvation of Jthe people of Britain is impossible. The sharp upward movement of production in aircraft and other vital military requirements is still gaining momentum. The output will continue to attain greater proportions. The trade unions have agreed to waive certain - rights in order to assist the recruitment of additional workers. lam certain we shall now nroceed from strength to strength. The monstrously swollen Reich :is already beleagured."