THE ARMAMENTS DISCUSSIONS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21330, 24 November 1934, Page 18

THE ARMAMENTS DISCUSSIONS

TO '! H EDITOK Or THE I'IIKS. Sir.—Curiosity prompts this letter—curiosity and I'li'i'iinulances. The circumstances relate to the conference in i Wellington at the moment, on matters j relating to armaments which is being | attended by Sir George Peai'ce. of Australia. and Sir Maurice Hankey, of Britain. It seems strange that Sir Maurice Hankey. who is in these parts in a "purely private capacity'' tsee Mr Ramsay MaeDonald's statement i should be able to discuss matters of such grave importance in both countries without being authorised to do so. This is overstraining one's credulity. More so when one realises that for some considerable time past Sir Maurice has been regarded as somej thing in the nature ol' an arch-envoy lof the British Government in these [ matters. He lias been the man be- ! hind the scenes, in the role of a i prompter-stage manager in several in- ! ternational conferences in recent, times. [Therefore at a time when the bogey I of war is being I'reel.v exhibited, when i international naval armament discusI sions are taking place, ii seems extraordinary that a diplomat of his standj ing should be globe-trotting "i:i a j private capacity." 1 Sir Maurice. Sir George, and others will discuss the question of armaments and defence in New Zealand and Australia. (At least this may be assumed, j though he refused to discuss the matter (when interviewed, and the members of the defence forces present did not ; know what it was all about.> I Armaments and defence suggest I hat jthe danger to this country has its prime | source in other countries and that the ; only means whereby a country's national well-being can be destroyed is naval or military in chaiacter. This is not so. The danger overshadowing this country and every country is not external and it is not militaristic: it is internal and financial. The best way |of distracting people's attention from ' that fact is to put en a display of sirle- ] shows. Fear of war is always aitracItive. and it is immaterial whether the ! showmen selected are oversea "spruk- | ers" or local brigadiers. -Yours etc.. j . A.K.A. j November 2L'.