How to beat poverty

SIR: Mr and Mrs A Fenny (BEN April 10) do not understand the whole picture of Third World poverty. Many Third World people are not yet far removed from savagery and their progress has been hindered by the withdrawal of the colonial powers. The billions of pounds paid to their countries over the years has largely been wasted on armaments and payments to corrupt officials. Throwing more money at them blindly will not help matters. They need stable political backgrounds where capitalism can flourish to the benefit of all their people. Some remission of debt may well be appropriate but all aid needs to be given carefully in order to avoid waste. Above all, the people of all countries need to understand that it is hard work and thrift that raise communities out of poverty (or relative poverty).