"INCREDIBLE FOLLY" OF HUGE ARMAMENTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 25, 30 January 1937, Page 9

"INCREDIBLE FOLLY" OF HUGE ARMAMENTS.

IS CRISIS AHEAD? Britain Had No Choice In Matter. CHANCELLOR'S VIEWPOINT. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 1 p.m.) LOXDOX, January 29. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, speaking in Birmingham, said Europe had been living so long in an atmosphere of uneasiness and anxiety that it was difficult, to escape the feeling that there was a crisis ahead, vet 'there were some satisfactory features, such as the Anglo-Italian agreement. The terrible burden of armaments was bound to pull down the standard of living if nothing was done to reduce it. "I cannot help being impressed by the incredible folly of civilisation 'which is piling these terrible burdens on the shoulders of the nations," he said. Dealing with the international outlook, he said tension in regard to Spain had been partly relaxed, according to a British official wireless dispatch. It should be possible for more attention to be conccntratcd on settlement of the European situation. Herr Hitler was about to make an important speech on that subject and he would not attempt to anticipate what Herr Hitler was going to say. It* was self-evident that, as leader and spokesman of one of the most powerful and influential nations in Europe the Fuehrer had it in his power to make a invaluable contribution to that settlement. If Herr Hitler should feel able to do so, his words would find a warm response in Britain. Britain's Heavy Burden. Mr. Chamberlain continued: "We in Britain are embarking on by far the largest programme of defence that has ever been undertaken by this country in time of peace. It is involving us in expenditure of hundreds of millions of pounds on munitions and weapons which will produce no economic return. We had no choice in the matter. "If the problems of Europe were economic alone—if there were only a general confidence that the easing of economic difficulties would not bring up a fresh crop of more dangerous political activities and ambitions, our task would be infinitely easier and readiness to make nccessarv sacrifices would be far more apparent than they are to-day. "In view," he added, "of the grim, alternative of an ever-rising burden of taxation, I cannot but believe that the requisite goodwill and determination will be forthcoming to bring us some relief." Mr. Chamberlain said a stream of orders from the Service Departments would not last for ever. He hoped they would not, and something would .then have to be put in their place. It was, therefore, necessary, even though industry was so busy with Home orders to maintain connection with oversea customers. This year, the prospects for industry were as bright as he had ever known and he expected many output j records to be broken.