The Wanganui Chronicle. SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 1948. OIL IN ITALY

Wanganui Chronicle, 17 January 1948, Page 4

The Wanganui Chronicle. SATURDAY, JANUARY 17, 1948. OIL IN ITALY

JTALY ’S position in Europe is from a military point of view the weakest of all the countries. Its long coastlines, the high range of mountains running down the centre of the peninsula, the absence of fuel, and the shortage of water in the south all combine to make it a difficult country to defend. Further, the food supply is inadequate to support the population and the population continues to increase. With an improvement in national hygiene the population growth would probably be augmented by an improved death-rate. The Italian people have, therefore, been compelled to live by being clever rather than by being brave. That they have succeeded in sustaining their position by the means available to them is to their credit. Between the Italian and the British peoples there has always been an affinity. The two peoples are religious, each in its own Way. In Italy, much mediocre art is relieved by some work of masters: in England the dominant mode of expression is literature and graphic art is neglected. Yet in England there is always the possibility of an outstanding artist appearing while in Italy there is always the prospect of an outstanding writer coming to the front. The two peoples are naturally engineers and both are good colonisers. The one looks back to the days of Augustus while the other, looks back to the great days of Elizabeth. The Dark Ages were dark indeed for both countries. The Renaissance stirred both peoples to new heights of achievement in the cultural field and in the seeking of adventures. Marco Polo is as much a British hero as he is an Italian. Leonardo di Vinci is as much a British possession as he is a Roman. The Reformation and seapower saved Britain from the spoiling hand of Spain, Italy was not so fortunate in respect to either of these two factors. England went on to greater glory while Italy was broken up into petty States. The consolidation of Italy was the result of the Liberal Movement of the last century and in this the inspiration came strongly from English sources. The Industrial Era gathered its chief momentum with the development of the steam engine. Here the Italian genius found itself subject to limitations because Italy had no coal. England supplied the coal, but the purchase was a handicap on the national economy. The development of hydro-electricity gave Italy her chance and Northern Italy responded manfully to the new opportunity. In the Northern Plain the power was spread over city, town and village, bringing in its train a rich development of industrial activity. The genius of the people could once again find a vent, ambitions were stirred to new heights. Italy had a future. World politics, however, were unkind to Italy. Fate decreed, that this rich development should take place right under the eyes of the covetous neighbours in the north. An invasion of Italy brought destruction to the industrial centres of the country and the deprivation of the factories of their power resources. Italy was still in the chains of adverse circumstances. Could Italy overcome her power shortage a new lease of life would be hers for the taking. But hydro-electricity was not’ enough. It cannot be stored—water for generating power can be stored—it cannot be transported save by power line and its accessories. Could oil be discovered iu Italy it would change not only Italy s economy but her trade balance as well, for she would be able to export her oil products to Western Europe. The question is whether oil is to be discovered there. It is of interest to learn that the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey has made application to the Italian Government for oil exploration concessions over a large area of Northern Italy comprising about 4,000,000 square aeres, lying between Milan and the Adriatic eoast along the south bank of the Po River. Methane has been found in considerable quantities in this area and methane is often found on the top of petroleum deposits. Oil has not yet been found. If this discovery is made Italy will require help to develop this new source of power and wealth. Should the natural resources of oil be discovered and satisfactorily developed the uplift to Italy’s economy would be enormous. The whole of her national economy would undergo a change for the better and Western Europfe would have oil available which was not the subject of a long haul. •??,. B °* Kuma ™a are said to be approaching exhaustion, and it this proves to be the ease it would mean that European oil resources available to the Communist controlled countries would not be such a one-sided proposition that it is today. Today most oil ni Europe is under Soviet control and it is the obvious intention of Russia ,o capture as much oil bearing country as she can make available to herself. Italy, lying next door to Soviet dominated Yugoslavia, would not long remain without Communist attention. Even now in anticipation that oil will be discovered the Communists o± Italy are endeavouring to sow the seeds of discord between their own country and the United States of America