OUR LONDON LETTER

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21308, 30 March 1939, Page 11

OUR LONDON LETTER

An Election Budget Another Ally for Germany (From Our Parliamentary Reporter) LONDON, March 3. Opinion among political prophets is hardening in favour of a general election next October or November. The decisive factor is the coming Budget. Everyone is now convinced that it will be an “as you were” Budget, with no heavy additional taxes.

Yet not since the Great War has there been a time when new taxes might have been accepted with as cheerful a fatalism. The crisis and the rearmament drive had made them seem inevitable. So the Chancellor’s recent announcements that he would borrow a large part of the money, leaving posterity to help pay 1939’s arms bill, is taken as a clear indication that he is planning an “election Budget.” Mr Chamberlain might decide on an election in May, immediately after the Budget. But this is unlikely, if only because the King will be leaving for Canada early in the month. In October or November, the favourite months for British elections, the Government would still reap the benefit of a lenient Budget. Moreover, Mr Chamberlain hopes that he will then be able to go to the country backed by some solid achievement in European “appeasement.”

Pocket Principality’s Fate Prince Franz Josef of Liechtenstein’s visit to Hitler in Berlin is an indication that the fate of this tiny state sandwiched between Germany and Switzerland is at last decided. It is to come within Germany’s orbit. Liechtenstein has been independent for more than 70 years, but almost all its trade is with Germany and it cannot live without its powerful neighbour. Until a few months ago relations were strained. The old Prince of Liechtenstein was anti-Nazi. His 60-square-mile realm was constantly being “invaded” by German police in pursuit of refugees. Conversely, unwanted German Jews were frequently dumped penniless across the Liechtenstein border. Anti-Nazi inhabitants advocate union with Switzerland as the only way to safety. Prince Pranz Josef, who succeeded his uncle a few months ago, is, however on good terms with the Germans, and there is a strong Nazi movement in the principality. Incidentally, German suzerainty will probably make things difficult for the many refugees who have crowded into Liechtenstein since the war. Not all of them are political or racial refugees. Many have gone there to escape the high taxes of their own countries—which includes Britain.

Trade Talks with Soviet Mr Chamberlain’s attendance at the Soviet Ambassador’s reception in London, at which most of the other English guests were his political opponents, is an indication of the Government’s desire to re-establish cordial relations with Russia. In connection with the forthcoming trade talks in Moscow there is much speculation regarding the possibility of Mr Robert Hudson, Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department, securing an interview with Stalin.

Such interviews with foreign representatives are rarely granted. Instead the visitors are passed on to the President or the Prime Minister. Mr Eden created a precedent.by being the first British politician to be received by the secretary of the Communist Party and since then the Russian Dictator has been less of a recluse. But he is still less approachable than either Hitler or Mussolini.

The decision to send the trade mission to Moscow has renewed the hopes of the owners of pre-war Tsarist bonds that some day these securities might be worth something. Recent £lOO bonds changed hands at 2s 6d. Since Mr Hudson’s visit was announced their value has appreciated. Some have been disposed of at 7s 6d. British Firms Want Franco Orders General Franco, no doubt, will repay his allies by giving them orders for much of the machinery and services required to rebuild Spain. But trade representatives from, nearly every other country in Europe are hoping to get a share of the business. British firms are putting out feelers, thoifgh they are wondering how the Spaniards will find the money to pay for the goods they need. There is likely to be general support among British trading interests for a loan to Franco, to enable him to pay for supplies obtained in Britain. Manufacturers also desire a settlement of outstanding pre-war debts, which amounted to about £4,000,000. About half this sum is available in the clearing house which functioned until the end of 1936. Some arrangement about the balance is necessary before trading relations can be re-estab-lished.

Boxing Match Boosts Television The British light-weight championship fight between Eric Boon and Arthur Danahar was not only a memorable sporting event. It was an occurrence of great significance to the television industry. Instead of the contest being watched by 10.000 or 12,000 it was followed by many thousands more in London cinemas and in private homes all over the country. The sport gained large numbers of new adherents and makers of television sets were flooded with orders.

The successful televising of this fight has been hailed as the herald of an entertainment revolution. Over 350 cinemas in Britain are being wired for television and picturegoers will soon be able to “view” not only boxing matches but many other sports, including greyhound racing, ice hockey and possibly professional lawn tennis. Regular nightly transmissions to cinemas are planned, each to last half an hour.

The Average Man’s Budget The American habit of compiling statistics on all sorts of questions seems to be spreading in Britain. One of the latest of these investigations is concerned with how much money the average man spends during the whole of his life of 70 years. Reckoning an

average income of £4 a week, and a working life of 50 years, the compilers estimate a total expenditure of £6500 on food for himself and family. Other items in this lifetime budget are: Clothes and shoes, £750; tobacco £500; travelling (train and ’ bus lares, etc.), £450; beer, £350; soap, £3O. Despite these formidable totals the Average Man in Britain is able to save money. In fact he is the world’s leading saver.

Selling Goods to the King The vigilance of the Royal Warrant Holders’ Association has recently revealed the unauthorised use of the words “By Appointment to the King” on the part of hundreds of firms. As a consequence many signs outside shop premises have had to be altered. A number of those who were asked to stop displaying the Royal Coat of Arms have supplied goods to one or more of the Royal households, but they do not receive the Warrant until they have rendered three years’ satisfactory service.