BRITAIN'S MIGHT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1937, Page 10

BRITAIN'S MIGHT.

POWER FOR WORLD PEACE. A LESSON OF LAST UPHEAVAL. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. Given freedom from war, the world would recover from the recent depression years, said Lord McGowan, chairman of Imperial Chemical Industries, addressing some 200 business men in Wellington yesterday. Lord McGowan disputed the suggestion that the enormous expenditure on war materials was responsible for the improvement in trade, and said the money spent on armaments would have caused a greater forward movement in commerce if it could have been directed into reproductive channels.

"Apart from Spain, there is less political tension to-day than there has been for some time," Lord McGowan said. "I do not believe in the probability of war. What did the last horrible war accomplish? Looking round the world to-day one would say, in truth —nothing. The relations of certain countries in the world are worse than they were prior to August, 1914.

"What a terrible, what a devastating criticism of our twentieth century civilisation, with the nations again arming to the teeth. It looks like a return to the (lays of barbarism. But this should not occur—it must not occur—and I believe the greatest hope that war may not recur for a long period will depend on Britain's efficiency in the air and on her Army and Navy. When Britain is properly equipped in these services ehe will then hold the balance of power, a,nd we shall find that countries disposed to war will think twice before engaging in it not knowing on which side Britain will throw her might."