A Supreme Economic Policy
Though it was gratifying to learn from Mr. Oliver Stanley that exports in November showed a substantial in- crease of 5o per cent. over October, and were nearly back to the August level, it must be recalled that August was not a good month, and that the figures are below those of last year. Nor is it certain that part of the rise in November was not simply the making up of arrears for the two bad months preceding. But even if it is assumed that the export figures are really back to the normal, that is not all that is required. Not merely is it essential that we should maintain exports in order to pay the mounting bills for war imports, but it is also a part of the war effort that we should carry the economic war into the markets which supply Ger- many and outbid her in payments. We ought to provide neutrals whose exports Germany wants with alternative markets, either our own or those of our customers, and we must endeavour to export to them the goods they need. Such a policy also presupposes attention to the needs of our manufacturers, who, if they are to make and export, must be assured of the necessary materials. To achieve this part of our war effort requires an active, constructive, imagina- tive policy which will give directions to departments immersed in routine. Hence the demand for a whole-time Minister for the economic side of the war, with a place in the War Cabinet.
Previous page
