Evening star., 1947-11-07

recent extensive trip throush EuropeJ NN'
Unsatisfactory and, in cases. austere though
1t Is, the economy of Britain and France
is relatively more secure than is that of the
European countries which lie adjacent to Rus
sian-dominated nations.
Britain and Italy, even In normal times, cam
not produce sufficient food for themselves.
These countries must produce or fabricate and
export products in order to buy the food they
require. France is more happily situated. Her
strong agrarian background under normal con-
ditions, will provide sufficient food for her
people.
Britain's present agricultural policy is di-
rected toward the production of as much food
as possible. She has increased her production
of potatoes million tons and her production of
sugar beets by one million tons annually, since
1885, But Britain is small and heavily pop
ulated area Even with local food production
carried to the maximum, she must still rely
for the major part Of her food on foreign
sources In order to buy this food, she must
have exports in sufficient volume.
More than two-thirds of the United King
dom's imports are composed Of food stuffs, to-
bacco and raw materials. In 1916, she i'm
ported IL per cent less meat than in 1888, rs
per cent less grain and flour, and go per cent
to 60 around at present than there was in 1888.
Great Britain simply does not have the means
to buy more.
The British government Is currently operat-
ing on an annual deficit of approximately
$4,000, 900 year.
Coal seems to be the one great natural re-
source which Britain has In good supply. If
Britain could produce 1t in abundance, her in
ternal recovery would be aided along with an
export balance which she could use for badly
needed food and other raw materials.
Why They Do Not Produce Coal.
Inducements are offered British miners of
extra food six days pay for 5-day week. and
the like, in an effort to attract workers. Such
moves have met with but partial success. Since
so much of Britain's wellbeing hinges upon
coal production, why, asked, is she unable to
marshal the manpower to do the job? A we'll
informed person in Britain gave me the follow
ing reasons:
Inability Of the miner to buy necessities for
himself and family; food rationing, points,
clothing coupons, shoe coupons priorities for
housewares high cost Of luxuries; the inclina-
ton to earn only what is necessary because Of
the pay as you earn" tax on wages Cor over
tine) beginning at SO per week; antiquated
mining machinery and methods; lack of desire
the dirty" industries; demands for better con-
ditions for labor; the prevailing psychological
attitude toward effort, as it is superimposed on
the erratic production pace caused by shortages
In material and food; lack Of opportunity for
advancement, the feeling that the lower third
and the middle classes have lost much hope
Of personal and social advancement. Few
British wage earners evince any strong hope OF
owning a home or an automobile. The son
seems universally destined to take over SIM
liar position In the community to that which his
father held Underlying all this is weariness
from having fought a long and costly war; and
with the continuance of war restrictions in the
postwar period.
On the brighter side the United Kingdom ac-
counted for SAT- per cent of the worlds con-
structon of ships at the close Of 1916. This
percentage has been further increased for l947.
One NTH of the total merchant vessels under
construction are for sale or registration abroad.
British artisans rank with the worlds best.
These and the manufacturing establishments
are making desperate efforts to increase more
and more British exports so as to give Britain
the trade balance she must have to regain her
old standard Of living However, Britons will
be subjected to all manner of rationing and re-
strictions on living will eat less live in colder
houses. and be less well-clothed and shod dur
ing the winter of 1947-48, than most of them
were during the war or before.
Frances Recovery From War.
France was battle-ground in the beginning
Of the war; then it was occupied by Hitler, after
1t was fought over as Allied troops swept on
toward the end of the war.
French ports have been very seriously dam
aged. The Germans used these ports as sub
marine bases and the Allies were forced to de-
molish them as q prelude to recapture.
Quays and wharves were damaged SO per
cent harbor installations 10 per cent, and 2,12o
craft were sunk, blocking channels and anchor
ages About 80 per cent OF this damage has
so far been repaired.
At the time Of liberation France had total
Of 6,70o bridges destroyed. Many Of these have
been reconstructed, at least on q temporary
basis. and permanent restoration is in progress.
The French have almost completely restored
the damage to their highway network
French railways suffered severely. Today the