NATIONS’ LIVING SPACE

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 234, 1 July 1939, Page 11

NATIONS’ LIVING SPACE

Constructive Aid By Britain

LORD HALIFAX ON THE COLONIES ISSUE

Attitude Of Fascists Is Greatest Obstacle

(British Official Wireless.) > (Received June 30, 7.5 j>.m.)

RUGBY, June 29.

Dealing with the colonial question in the course of his speech before the Royal Institute of International Relations, the Foreign Secretary, Lord Halifax, said that the British Commonwealth of Nations was fully aware of its heavy responsibility. Britain recognized that self-government should be the ultimate goal of colonial policy. The benefits of the relatively low cost of production of certain commodities in the colonial territories would be shared more widely under an international system in which trade barriers were lowered.

He had no doubt that if others were prepared to make a contribution to a better world, “we, in the conduct of our colonial administration, would be ready to go as far upon the economic side as we have already done on the political side in making wider the application of the principles which now obtain in the inandated- territories, including in the terms of reciprocity that of the open door.”

The wol'ld’s economic problem could only be satisfactorily solved for each State, by wise ordering of its affairs at. home and by adjusting and improving its relations with other States, he said.

Expansion Methods.

“Nations expand their wealth and raise the standard of living of their people by gaining the confidence of their neighbours .and thus facilitating the flow of goods between them,” he said. “The very opposite is likely to be the consequence of action by one nation in suppression of the independent existence of her smaller and weaker neighbours.” “If Lebensraum (living space) is to be applied in that sense we reject and must resist its application. It is noteworthy that this claim to living space is being put forward at a moment when Germany has become an immigration country,- importing workers in large numbers from Czechoslovakia, Holland, and Italy to meet the needs of her industry and agriculture. How, then, cau Germany claim to be overpopulated? Belgium and Holland, and to a less extent our own islands, have already proved that what is called over-population can be prevented by productive work.” There was ample scope for extending to all nations the opportunity for a large economic life with all that that meant,’which was implied in the term Lebensraum. If the world were organized on such lines neither Germany uor Italy need fear for her own safety and no nation could fail to profit from the immense material benefits which the general application of science had brought within universal reach. Harmful Discussions.

“Unless all countries desire a settlement, discussions would only do more harm than good,” he said. “Moreover, it is impossible to negotiate with a Government whose responsible spokesmen brand a friendly country ’as thieves and blackmailers and indulge daily in monstrous slanders on British policy in all parts of the world, but if that spirit, which is clearly incompatible with any desire for a peaceful settlement, gave way to something different His Majesty’s Government would be ready to pool their best thought with that of others in order to end political and economic insecurity. Our next task would be a reconstruction of international order on a broader and firmer foundation.” ■ Continuing, Lord Halifax said thar no society of nations could be built upon force in a world which lived in fear of violence and had to spend its substance in preparing to resist it. It was idl<? to cry peace where there was no peace, or pretend to reach a settlement unless it could be guaranteed by a redaction in warlike preparations and by an assured recognition of every nation’s right to the free enjoyment of its independence. “At this moment the doctrine of force bars the way to a settlement and fills the world with envy, hatred, malice and all uncharitableness. But, if the doctrine of force were once abandoned so that the fear of war that stalks the world was lifted, all the outstanding questions would become easier to solve. If all the efforts now devoted to the senseless multiplication of armaments with the consequent increase of distrust were applied to the common peaceful development of resources the peoples of the world would soon find an incentive to work together for the common good. K Nations would then be in a position to discuss with real promise of success both, political grievances and economic difficulties, whether in the international or in the colonial field.” A Past Mistake. Lord Halifax recalled the principle enunciated in Article 22 of the League Covenant: that the well-being-and development of a people not yet able to stand by themselves under the strenuous conditions of the modern world are the sacred trust of civilization. He proceeded to sketch the application of that principle of trusteeship in the mandatory system and in the latterday administrative practice of the British colonial empire. The same principle had, in effect, been applied iu a broadening of freedom in the case of India, Burma and Eire. On Eire Lord Halifax observed: For many years we tried, as the phrase went, “to hold” the land under the mistaken belief which is today invoked to justify the subjection of Czechoslovakia—that it was indispensable to our national security. But. we have now realized that our safety Is not diminished but immeasurably Increased by a free and friendly Ireland.