THE WORLD'S RECOVERY

Waipa Post, Volume 48, Issue 3467, 17 May 1934, Page 2

THE WORLD'S RECOVERY

OBSTACLES IN THE PATH One of the many causes that is impeding a better understanding am’ongst nations is that spirit of nationalism which seems to have run riot in nearly every country in the world. It cannot be too strongly emphasised that nationalism, which obviously interferes with international trade, should be removed as soon as possible, for it is nothing but an elusion to think that any country can increase its own prosperity by shutting out the goods of other countries. Granted it can increase the prosperity of some particular producer in that country and cases do arise where it is necessary L,, protect that industry where it is open to unfair treatment by foreign manufacturers or merchants. But these cases do not dispose ol the broad principle that nations of the world add to their individual prosperity by trading with one another. Great Britain in abandoning the national policy of Free Trade has acquired a bargaining power which will he of great service in her negotiations with foreign countries. By imposing tariffs and quotas on those countries that impose them on her, she will help to hasten the day when all countries will realise the folly of the spirit of nationalism. That was the idea that was at the back of the mind of the late Joseph Chamberlain when he launched his great campaign for Tariff Reform in 1902. What Great Britain refused to give the father —he was the most farseeing statesman, of his day—has now been given to the son, Neville Chamberlain, with no uncertain voice. This goes to show how far history moves in the life of one generation. It is a fact that while so many causes of quarrel, both economic and political, remain unsettled it is more or less ai waste of time for the nations of the world to argue in detail about the reduction of armaments. If any nation thinks it is being unfairly treated regarding the goods it wants to sell in other countries, it is not likely to be in favour of reducing its naval or army equipment which might enable it to secure what she thinks is justice.

Another factor contributing to the state of unrest amongst nations is the absurdity of passports. That they served a very useful purpose during the Great War cannot be denied, yet in time of peace they are quite useless and they only inflict injury on the world by obstructing free travel between country and country. The working of the passport system is in practice only a pretence. Travellers who are put to the expense of getting papers signed and photographs taken find that when they pass through the passport office, these papers and photographs are scarcely glanced at by officials in charge. They are merely stamped and the traveller passes on. Quite recently both the French and the British Governments have recognised that passports are unnecessary and arrangements are being made that travellers in either direction need not carry passports if they are only going abroad from Friday to Tuesday. But if a passport is unnecessary for a term of five days, why not also for 50? This week-end concession gives away the whole case.