FOREIGN POLICY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 226, 20 June 1936, Page 10

FOREIGN POLICY

Returned Soldiers’ Opinions

ADEQUATE FORCE WANTED

Last Year’s Resolutions Reaffirmed

Support for adequate defence of the Empire was advocated by delegates to I lie New Zealand Returned Soldiers’ Association conference in Wellington yesterday, when it considered international policy and defence,.,and discussion'turned on tlie question of whether the League of Nations should be supported by tlie British Empire or the Empire should assume an attitude of “splendid isolation.” Besides reaffirming last year's resolution drawing attention to the necessity for adequate defence, and the conscription during war of economic and human resources, tlie conference decided on the motion of Mr. W. E. Leadley (Christchurch) to add the following:— “Being seriously alarmed at the unsettled state of world affairs, and being convinced of the urgent necessity of making adequate provision for the defence of New Zealand, we submit the following proposals for the consideration of the Government, in framing its defence policy: (1) That in view of the Prime Minister’s declaration ‘that the first line of defence for New Zealand should be increased population,’ a scheme of planned immigration from Great Britain should be inaugurated as soou as possible. (2) That New Zealand should support a reconstructed League of Nations, all the members of which would mutually coiivenaht to apply full economic and military sanctions against a declared aggressor.”

Former President’s Flan. The conference reaffirmed also the statement on collective security drawn up by Major-General Sir Andrew Russell when president, and forwarded by the last conference to the British Empire Service League. Sir Andrew Russell’s suggestion was that the British commonwealth of nations, declaring its policy to be that of peace, implemented by armed forces in case of aggression, should invite other nations subscribing to that policy to withdraw from foreign entanglements and join the commonwealth, tlie members of which would pool their resources, pledge themselves to confer, and abide by the conference’s decision in' the case of internal dispute, maintain neutrality in case of war among non-members, but continue membership of the League of Nations as an instrument for discussion of difficulties between its own nations and those outside. The resolution of the previous conference which a committee recommended should be reaffirmed yesterday was as follows:— “That this council sincerely appreciates the efforts of the Government of the Mother Country and of New Zealand, to secure world peace, and prays for continued labours in this direction. It considers, however, that the unsettled conditions prevailing throughout the world are such that the attention of the Government of New Zealand should be drawn to the inadequacy of the present defensive measures.

“The council, ever mindful of the enormous sacrifice in human life during the Great War, consequent on unpreparedness, further deems it its duty to urge upon the Government the vital necessity of bringing our sea, land, and air forces to a state commensurate with our responsibilities both to New Zealand and to the Empire. “Further, and arising out of experience during the Great War, the council respectfully suggests that greater attention be paid to the training of leaders, both officers and non-commissioned officers, being firmly convinced that from such training, nothing but good will accrue to the country either in peace or war.

“Finally, the council considers that, in the event of war, the whole of the counter's economic resources should be conscripted as well as its man power, and would bring to the notice of the Government the necessity for the immediate preparation of such a plan.”

Population a Defence. Moving the addition of the two clauses to last year’s resolution, Mr. Leadley said the considered opinion of the association was important and it should be carefully framed before it was broadcast. He agreed that the state of the world called for preparedness. If New Zealand experienced another war it was possible that her women and children would suffer as had those of Abyssinia. He agreed with the Prime Minister that New Zealand needed a larger population, but not haphazard immigration. Mr. H. L. Paterson (Dunedin), the mover of the motion, said he would accept the addition. The adoption of the first part of Mr. Leadley’s addition but the rejection of the second part was urged by Mr. F. W. Doidge (Rotorua), who emphasised the importance of immigration and declared the second clause would negative the point in Sir Andrew Russell’s proposal. Europe had been on the brink of war during the last year and a conflict was inevitable if the same policy were continued. Although the League of Nations wag a grand ideal it was as fragile as a cobweb. It had failed in Japan and Bolivia, and Halle Selassie would still be on the throne of Abyssinia had the League not prevented the adoption of the Hoare-Laval Pact. If Britain kept out of the quarrels of Europe the other nations, would respect her, and. if she were ever in danger the Dominions would help her readily, as in 1914. European alliances led Britain into the last war. and the trend of opionion in England was toward Sir Andrew Russell’s views. Mr, H. B. Burdekin (central executive) supported Mr. Doidge. saying that sanctions led to ill will and misunderstanding. The Dominions should consider doing their share in defence. Other delegates suggested that the population should be increased by allowing New Zealand’s own people to have larger families, that the association should join the League of Nations Union, and that “steps should be taken to suppress newspaper editors who foment war.” . Mr. G. G. Griffiths (Matamala) said the policy of splendid isolation which, he understood, Mr. Doidge supported, had led to war in the past and it was asking for trouble to adopt it again. The policy of splendid Isolation and the law of the jungle had caused the League to fail, said Mr. S. N. Ziman (Cambridge). People could not avoid war until they took risks for peace.

Unarmed People Helpless. The president, Hon. AV. Perry, M.L.C., said the subject was the most important before the conference. He feared for the future of the Empire, which had lost much of the prestige it had had at the end of the last war, when it h ■ ’ been Ihe greatest factor for peace. Her opportunity for imposing peace had been thrown away, and now Japan and Germany were fully armed. New Zealand should have an adequate force

not only for its own tiefence, but also to help Britain, for if Britain collapsed New Zealand would go also. The Prime Alinister had spoken a great truth when he had said that the first line of defence was population, but he had not gone far enough, because an unarmed population was helpless. The League had not done what had been expected of it. In a crisis it lacked the strength to impose its will. Mr. Perry said he could not support a policy of splendid isolation. Had there been no alliances in 1914 Germany would have attacked and defeated first France and then Russia, and then would have attacked Great Britain. Nothing showed that Britain would abandon the policy of collective security, and they should work iu support of that. Mr. Leadley said he would not withdraw bis second clause, particularly as New Zealand would probably have a seat ou I he League of Nations. The original motion, with the addition proposed by Mr. Leadley, was carried without dissent.