WHO SPEAKS FOR BRITAIN?

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 151, 27 June 1936, Page 8

WHO SPEAKS FOR BRITAIN?

Three months ago, when German troops reoccupied the Rhineland, the reaction of a large body of the British people and, not less, that of the British Government, was friendly and conciliatory. The Government would not countenance French proposals for drastic action to uphold the Treaty which Germany had violated, and it showed itself ready, and almost eager, to consider on its merits the "peace plan" which Herr Hitler put forward. An interchange of views began, but it has been delayed by Herr Hitler's failure to reply to the series of questions put to him by the British Government. The German leader is believed to be waiting until the situation resulting from the Ethiopian conflict is clarified. '

These circumstances must be borne in mind in considering the speech made by the British Secretary of War. If that speech represents the contemporary views of the Cabinet, then Cabinet must have virtually abandoned hope of reaching an agreement with Germany. If it does not represent Cabinet's views, it is an outrageous and extremely harmful "indiscretion" which should cost Mr. Duff Cooper the seals of his office. Unfortunately it is not the first indication that the easy-going Mr. Baldwin guides his team with a very loose rein, and that Ministers other than himself and the Foreign Minister feel free to make speeches on foreign affairs that are out of harmony with the announced policy of the Government. Mr.- Baldwin is at a disadvantage, in his dealings with Herr Hitler and Signor Mussolini, in that he is the head of a democracy while they are dictators, but his disadvantage is increased when liin Ministers make public statements which appear to indicate grave disunity within the Cabinet. It is high time for Britain to speak with a single voice, and that voice Mr. Baldwin's, for whatever the "die-hard" section of hi& party may think, Mr. Baldwin still means more to the country, and to the British Commonwealth, i than any man who might take his place.