Qerman Comments at Road Delegation Functions
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4ANY interesting statements were Pei made on the German and British sides at the official functions. Dr. Dorpmeller, the Minister of Transport., thought that the Delegation may have wondered at the pace of construction which permitted over 1,000 miles to be built in four years. This was partly because the railways had put at the disposal of the roads their important organization and expert advice, and the fact that the Fiihrer had given this great task to Dr. Todt. Germany has no capital resources, only the strong financial power of its whole people.
The great advantage of the scheme was the possibility of offering work at once, resulting in 120,000 men being directly employed and many others indirectly. In addition, 35 per cent, is saved in unemployment pay, and 25 per cent, to 30 per cent, returned to the Treasury in the form of additional taxes and revenues, so that the State had to provide only, approximately, 35 per cent., furnished through a B26 rediscount credit offered by the Reich Bank, assisted by the petrol tax of 2d. per gallon, to which we referred in a previous issue.
Dr. Todt, in his various speeches, said that he liked to act in the capacity of a host showing his guests his house from the roof to the cellar. He had shown the delegates this great house of Germany, its beautiful cultural centres, arts, workers, etc., and as a host he appreciated the great interest taken in all that he had displayed. He hoped that the visit of the British representatives would reconstruct the bridge of friendship between Germany • and England.
Shortage of Labour.
In 1933 there were 7,000,000 unemployed; now there was a shortage of labour.
Good work can be achieved only in a long period of peace, and Germany is loyal to her friends. The special gratitude of the German nation was
due to the delegates for their expressions of friendship. Germany may have beautiful roads and buildings, but other nations may destroy all; this could be prevented by Germany and England pulling together. It is useless to mix only concrete; men must also be mixed. If Britain and Germany could exchange their children, greater friendship would result.
The new roads attracted much more traffic from abroad. Before 1935 there were some 300,000 isiting Cars per year; in 1935 the number increased to 600,000; and in 1936 to 720,000. whilst this year, although there were no Olympic Games, visiting vehicles had increased by another 30 per cent.
The party leader at Beyreuth said that Germany wanted to be a nation at peace to continue its good work. Britain, which, itself, wants peace, has blood ties with Germany, but there are irresponsible elements in the world which do not want people to live tranquilly.