ARMAMENTS IN EUROPE

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22195, 11 September 1937, Page 16

ARMAMENTS IN EUROPE

Observation by Mr G. A. Wilkinson SUPPORT FOR BRITISH * POLICY [THE PRESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, September 10. "I do not wish to be a scaremonger, but it seemed to me that Europe was more or less an armed camp," said Mr C. A. Wilkinson, member of Parliament for Egmont, who returned to the Dominion by the Akaroa, after several months in England and on the Continent. Britain's last-minute decision to arm on an unprecedented scale appeared to be the only possible thing to do in view of the international outlook, he added. Mr Wilkinson said militarism was particularly evident in Germany, where everything was being subordinated to equip the nation for such an eventuality as war. Every possible effort, however, was being made, and would be made, by Great Britain to maintain the peace of the world. People in the Dominions could rest assured that their interests were being safeguarded to the utmost against the possibility of war by exceedingly capable men at the head of affairs in Britain. An inspection of the Singapore Naval Base had greatly impressed him, Mr Wilkinson added. The defences were on a very big scale, which spelled additional security for Australia and New Zealand. Improvements were still being made at the base, where about 500 natives were regularly engaged. The dockyards were an impressive sight and were capable of handling the largest steamers afloat. Discussing trade and economic prob-, lems. in Britain, Mr Wilkinson said conditions there appeared to be quite good,,and.no unemployment was visible; Labour, in fact; was becoming very scarce. Baw materials, particu-> laxly "metals; were proving difficult to obtain, and appeals were being made to the public", to save all scrap iron, tin and other metals, even including such items as old bedsteads and the humble sardine- tin. Prices .were rising, and would continue to rise. Mr Wilkinson said he' had attended the House of Commons' and also a confidential gathering dealing with world affairs, which had been addressed by Viscount Cranborne. Together with members of Parliament from other- Dominions Mr Wilkinson had been asked to speak, and had made special reference to the problems of the Pacific, .to which Viscount Cranborne replied. Commenting on the political situation in England at the present time, Mr Wilkinson said It was interesting to note that the Labour Party was very much disorganised, being divided over the question of leadership and other matters. No fewer than 12 consecutive by-elections had been won by the Conservative Party. FATAL ACCIDENT AT SPRINGFIELD T- 1 ♦ . INQUEST OPENED AND ADJOURNED An inquest into the death of John Owen Macer, a married man, aged about 60, who was killed when bridge scaffolding on which he was working near Springfield collapsed on Thursday, was opened at the Christchurch Public Hospital yesterday before Mr E. C. Lewey, Coroner. Mr A, W. Brown and MrG. A.K. Simmers, Assistant District Engineer, appeared for the Bailways Department, which employed. Macer, and Sergeant C. Murphy conducted the proceedings for the police. ■, Evidence of identification was given by Edgar Henry Stanley, a bridgeman employed by the Railways Department, of Spreydon, Christchurch, who was an eye-witness of the accident. A post-mortem examination was ordered, and the inquest was adjourned sine die to enable inquiries and an inspection of the scene of the accident to be made.