Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1936. EMPIRE DEFENCE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 97, 5 February 1936, Page 4

Ashburton Guardian Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1936. EMPIRE DEFENCE.

It Is significant that, simultaneously with Britain’s efforts to bring about reduction in naval armaments as an outcome of the conference-now sitting in London, conferences of the Cabinet Defence Committee, consisting of senior members of the Government and the heads of the defence departments, have been held with a view to repairing the gaps that exist in the system of Empire defence. Though the plans have been a well-kept secret, it is generally believed that in view of the unsettled European and Asiatic conditions they will be more extensive than was intended before the election, involving a larger defence loan. It is believed that the Government will have no difficulty in raising £200,000,000 or more over a period of years if it desires such an amount for defence. The action now taken by the Government is in accordance with the mandate given to it by the country at the last general elections, when the question of rearmament was a major issue. The trend of world affairs continues to be ominous. It has caused Britain, however reluctantly, to recognise that, if she intends to pursue a strong peace policy, she must possess the means to exercise effective restraint on aggressive nations. Her Ministers have had regretfully to admit that not only has Britain’s steady disarmament failed to act as an example, but, as Mr Neville Chamberlain said recently, it has seriously impaired Britain s influence for peace.” Further, and of even more importance, it is no exaggeration to say that the margin of safety has been reached. In its election manifesto the Government, declaring that it was necessary to increase the national defences, said the programme will not be aggressive, but will be strictly confined to making Britain and the Empire safe, while fulfilling their obligations to the League. Meanwhile the Government will continue its efforts to secure limitation of armaments. In a broadcast address Mr Baldwin said the Navy must be modernised, especially as it possessed only three post-war capital ships. The remainder belonged to a time before aerial attack had to be considered. Moreover, many cruisers were obsolete. He did not want huge forces, but the best obtainable for the safety of their men. These utterances, as well as those of other prominent leaders —on the Opposition side of the House no less than on the Government side—indicate the manner in which the problem is being aproached in*Britain. There is no suggestion of desire for aggrandisement; the requirement is simply to ensure adequate defence of the Homeland and of the scattered units of the King’s realm. Britain is being forced by the hard logic ot world events to look to her weapons and she is bound to ask of the Dominions what help can be expected from them New Zealand should not need any reminder that the question urgently requires an answer. She should be able to see for herse f the new position created by the policies ot certain foreign nations and that some practical reaction to the new probbms raised cannot be long delayed New Zealand must continue to rest her security upon the strength of the EmP ire and she should be prepared to do her part in maintaining that strength.