BRITAIN'S POSITION

Opunake Times, 14 October 1947, Page 1

BRITAIN'S POSITION

ECONOMIC PLIGHT From the remarks of United States business men to whom he had spoken he had gathered that, not believe Britain's story of her economic situation to J>e genuine. This,, statement was made in an'interview byMr; R. Gapes > a Wellington business mari who 'had just, returned frbm a visit to America and Canada. "They are firmly of 1 the opinion that if further loans were granted to Great Britain it would be at the expense of the American Mr. Gapes added. 1 ' "I have argued' with them' over this belief of theirs, pointing out that if one boy wiris all the marbles the gamecan't go on until he lends some to the other boys. The' United' States has all the marblesi and 'if ; she; wants other nations to play with ; her she simply has to lend.' "As far as the aveiage American is concerned,'he knows nothing about New Zealand," said Mr. Gapes: "I don't suppose > 3 per cent could tell anyone with accuracy where New Zealand is. I never once heard New Zealand referred to- in speeches or over the air, and never saw newg item«> from NeW'Zealand' in any papefj so that actltally few know that we are a potential 'Customer, side of those who' ; have had: dealings with us for'years past. It is different with respect td Australia. That country is doing a good 1 deal of, publicity. ? '' He was in 1 New York when the news came; through that the British Government'placed a '75 per cent duty on American-made films, Mr. Gapes said; Thig decision was unfortunate, for just at that time the pictures in the highest favour with the public were the British films, "Henry V," "Great Expectations," "Piccadilly Incident," arid a James Mason pictured About 50 per cent of the films then showing were of British origin—and it had never been like that before.