BAD POLICY

Waipa Post, Volume 32, Issue 1783, 15 July 1926, Page 6

BAD POLICY

"This impression of the gradual decline of England is a catastrophe, and that it exists is largely our own fault. The extracts from the British Press which find their way into the American papers the articles written by some of our fellow countrymen for the American Press, and the pessimistic way in which visitors from England to the United States describe the state of affairs at home, have all conspired to create a totally false impression in the American mind. The American is an optimist and .he does not understand our national habit that he takes all the pessimistic talk he hears as being the literal truth, and probably an under-statement of the gravity of the situation. During our visit we were fortunate enough to have the opportunity, at public meetings and privately to dispel dome of these false impressions, and to assure our American friends that Great Britain, although admittedly ;facing difficult times, was by no means on the point of throwing up the sponge. Such efforts at explaining the position are only a drop in the bucket, and we would most earnestly urge that some concerted stepis should be taken to bring the true facts of the case before the American public."—From a report to the Federation of British Industries by Colonel P. V. Willey and Mr G. Locock on their American impressions.