"LOT OF NONSENSE TALKED"

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21960, 8 December 1936, Page 8

"LOT OF NONSENSE TALKED"

... COLLECTIVE SECURITY IN DEFENCE VIEWS OF CIVIL LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY (PRESS ASSOCIATION TfU.EGBAM.) WELLINGTON, December 7. “There has been a lot of nonsense talked about the, value of collective security in defence,” said Mr Kenneth Lindsay, Civil Lord of the Admiralty, to-day, at a State luncheon of welcome. “If you talk about collective security as a national aspiration, it is logical to ask what is going to be done about national defence. That, I think, is the problem which immediately presents itself to the self-governing Dominions, That is what collective security really means. May I leave it at that? Ido not think it is necessary to dot i’s and cross t’s.” Referring to what was going on in Europe to-day, Mr Lindsay spoke of the need of maintaining a system of free democracy and freedom of election. That system alone dignified the men who were elected and the nation that elected them.

Mr Lindsay mentioned he found in Germany that leadership was a predominant principle, and free election was decried as being weak. The movement in Europe to-day was primarily anti-politician. The political system was being lampooned. This was going on also in England and in Australia. Personally, he stood strictly by the democratic system, which implied a will to defend itself. It also implied strength at the centre, maintenance of the rights of citizenship, freedom of thought, freedom of contract, and, within reasonable limits, freedom in exchange of goods. These were the only safeguards for wages and a decent standard of living. “Dictatorship does not go hand m hand with a high standard of living,” Mr Lindsay added. “That is why I am visiting New Zealand to see this sturdy democratic plan. Meanwhile, lam proud to be humble Minister in one of the greatest agencies for peace, the Royal Navy. ’