ARMS AND THE STATE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 49, 28 February 1927, Page 6

ARMS AND THE STATE.

One of the most important questions selected by the League of Nations for discussion by representatives of the Powers is the limitation of the manufacture of arms. We believe that the alleged influence of munition and armament firms in promoting and encouraging wars has been grossly exaggerated. But it ean hardly be denied that the safest and most rational course to pursue in regard to all weapons and equipment that can be used in war would be for the Governments of the various countries to control their production and distribution. This apparently is the object that the League has in view, and the conference on this question which is to meet at Geneva in a fortnight's time may prove to be a definite step forward in the direction of world peace.

In spite of persistent refusal to join the League, the United States Government has accepted the invitation to send delegates to this conference. It must be admitted that the Americans have safeguarded their position beforehand with great care. They assume that the purpose of the conference will be principally to arrange for the compilation of statistics and other material evidence bearing

on the private manufacture of arms, and they warn the League that they -gill not agree to "any form of international control of the manufacture of arms" in the United States. This last proviso might well suggest an opening for the cynies and satirists who delight to analyse the less obvious and less respeetable motives of mankind. For as a matter of fact there is no country in the world where the Government seems to have so little control as is exercised in the United States over private enterprise in the production and use of deadly weapons. Not only revolvers and repeating rifles, but bombs, and even machine guns, have played a conspicuous part in American industrial and social difficulties of late, and if the Americans object to "international control'' they might at least attempt to check these dangerous abuses on their own account. How-

ever, the participation of the Americans in the business of the League, in however limited a way, is a welcome and encouraging sign of the wiyld-wide longing for stability and peace.