NOW AT STAKE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 80, 5 April 1939, Page 11

NOW AT STAKE.

WORLD'S FREEDOM. Trend Of Debate In House Of Commons. CHANCELLOR SPEAKS. British Official fTirrlem. RUGBY. April 4. After examining the pradieal implications of the new jwlicy and urg-injr 'he necessity, on .strategic grounds, of securing the firm adherence of the Soviet Union, Mr. Lloyd George, in the debate in the House of Commons, added that the Prime J Minister said the freedom of the world was at stake. There was no country which had madp greater sacrifices or displayed greater heroism in tbe fight lor human freedom and international right than Britain. *"] am convinced that when tie Prime Minister makes a call, as he has done. for Britain to renew its old achievements. Britain and her Empire will display such power, suci valour and such irresistible might that no enemy can stand in her way," said Mr. Lloyd George. The Chancellor of the Exchequer. Sir John Simon, in winding up the*del»at*. said the unanimity with which the House had accepted and approved Mr. Chamberlain's statement was outstanding. The country was more united on taking this stand than on any other contemporary question of policy. It was a tremendous fact which there would be occasion to remember hereafter. It proclaimed a definite course of action if the need arose.

There couSd be no lookinjr back from the decision. It was a most serious commitment because it did not merely threaten the possibility of war, but bound Britain, in certain events, 11> undertake war. The Government wa» aware that more than an interim declaration was required.

Whatever commitments were undertaken they must not be vague or unspecified. They must be precise and defined. Neither convenience, comfort, money, wealth nor insular tradition and practice, could be put in the scales against what was necessary bow. Britain's whole potential strength would he thrown into essential work. That strength must be used if occasion arose. but, above all, every eSort concejvaiMe should be devoted to organisation to broaden and make more sure the basis of peace.

Taking up references made Io tbe course of the debate to the leading article in '"The Times'" on Saturday and a message circulated by a Dews agency from London, which .were alleged to have had the effect of minimising the import of tbe Prime Minister"* guarantee to' Poland, Sir John Simon said tfae statement was perfectly clear and could hardl> be misinterpreted. "It is to be understood in the fullest sense it bears," said the Chancellor, "and it is hardly necessary to add that I myself and the whole Government associate ourselves with Che assurance as expounded by Mr. Chamberlain. So one, either at the Foreign Office, or on behalf of the Government, authorieed comment qualifying the effect of the statement, and such comment was made entirely on tbe responsibility of the newspaper and the agency concerned, and was absolutely ■unofficial.'"' Sir John Simon claimed that tbe known devotion of tfae Prime Minister to peace invested Friday** declaration with peculiar force. The man who had been prepared to go furthest in giving credit to Heir Hitler's intentions wme the man who, compelled by events, ms giving tbe lead in the country's united stand against aggression. If peace were secured, it would be by the action of the united House of Commons which helped to secure it. WILL BE RESISTED. ATTEMPTS AT DOMINATION. British Official Wireless. (Received 9.30 am.) BDGBY, April 4. The Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain, sent the following letter to the annual meeting of the Edgbaston division of the Unionist Association: —■''We are passing through difficult times, but I am greatly encouraged by the knowledge that I have the support of my friends at Edgbaston and I trust we shall presently see an improvement in the world situation. "Our desire is still to remove any legitimate causes of grievances, wherever they may exist, but any attempt at world domination would have to be resisted by this country, with others, as it always has been in the past-' , ORIGIN DEFINED. MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S PURPOSE. Independent Cable Service. (Received 9.30 a.m.) LONDOX. April 4. "The •Times" says the statements of Mr. Chamberlain and Viscount Halifax. who spoke in the House of Lords yesterday on i-imiJar lines, not designed to add anything t* Friday"< declaration, bul wore valuable becau*"they defined the origin and purpose «•' the* ]<ledjrc a.H risk of «ni»coneeption at home or abroad. TJie "Daily Telefrraph" says 1VPrime Minister's speech was that of a man who has set his eourf-e a*id kno«there is no turning back.