The Nome nugget., 1949-04-29
THE WORLD NEEDS FREE TRADE

THE WORLD NEEDS FREE TRADE
 When the Thirteen Colonies won their independence from Britain, they represented thirteen independent and sovereign States Each colony issued it's money and had the right set tariffs to prevent the sale of the products of all the other colonies inside its domain The money issued by each colony of dubious value in the other colonies and consequently hampered the development of economic intercourse between the peo ples of the colonies.
 If that condition had continued after the formation of the Federal Union, there would have been deve- opment of the economy of this Continent to compare with what the years have produced Instead of manu facturer in state being able to ship his products freely buyer in other states there would have been questions of currency valuation and exchange, in add ton possible prohbtory tariffs to prevent such bus 
 Now if we glance away from own continent and look into the Western part of Europe, find group of nations operating economically the colonies did before the Union formed. This means for example that if manufacturer in Bel gium wants to sell goods in France he must not only pay the tariff levied against his products, but he must arrange some method of collecting the amount due him for his goods.
 Naturally, he cannot accept French currency unless he to buy something in France because, obvious y is not usabe in Belgium If the manufacturer does not want to buy France he must require the French purchaser to pay him in the money of third country which, under present conditions is usually the dollar the pound
 It is not surprising that trade between the European countries lags far behind that between the foryeight States of the American Union Likewise, the economic development Of the European area does not compare with that which took place the American continent The full answer may not be found in tariffs and rency barriers, but many economists and political stu dents convinced that much of the blame for reard ed economy is to be assessed against these factors.
 Recently, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg formed customs union that they could exchange their goods without any money difficulties Now eff fort being made to extend the boundaries of the union that France and Western Germany may be included The idea is sound and should be broadened to include most of the nations in Western Europe In fact it should be gradually extended to include all the nations of the earth.
 There is think, lesson for the United States to learn in the history of it's development and the les development of other areas. We set the world example by establishing high tariffs, which led to quota restrictions currency controls and other barriers to world trade Now, suggesting to the Western tions of Europe that they act to permit the unmpeded flow of trade between them and if logical, we must be ready to assist in the development of the worlds economy by joining in the effort to facilitate the swapping of goods and services between all peoples
 Those who oppose the removal of tariffs and other trade barriers generally fear that such removal will m jure their business. This might concevaby be the suit in certain instances, but what the business men If Inter