Britain’s Foreign Policy

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 257, 28 July 1939, Page 11

Britain’s Foreign Policy

Sir,—The Press reports of the speeches made during the Address-iu-Reply debate by two of the members on the Government benches, made rather disappointing reading. However, it is refreshing to know that one of them can think in terms of Empire and ventured to talk of facing realities, but the fly in the ointment in regal d to this gentleman’s party is that they are not prepared to face realities outside of New Zealand, and imagine that they have rendered the world a great service by adversely criticizing the British Government. It has never occurred to these gentlemen that a little help of a practical nature would do more to prevent the disruption of the Empire, than hours of loose talk which; is much appreciated by our potential enemies. It appears that according to these foreign policy critics, Great Britain should police the entire world, while other countries sit back and issue, the orders, instead of pulling their weight as they have every right to do if they wish to make the world safe and tolerable for all nations. The idea that Great Britain should act as the champion of all menaced nations and rush to their aid immediately they are attacked, or take measures to prevent them being attacked, is certainly excellent in theory, but in practice there is no one nation that could shoulder the responsibility. Neither is there any one nation entitled to do so, or just enough, and powerful enough to carry it into effect. The first and foremost duty of Great Britain is to protect her own people, and menaced as she is by two of the most aggressive, and probably the best-, armed and disciplined, nations the world has ever known, who will deliy the fearful responsibility and difficulties confronting Great Britain and those in charge of her foreign policy? An outsider reading the criticisms made by certain members on the Government benches of Britain’s endeavour to come to an understanding with Japan (who is more of a menace to Australia and New Zealand than to Great Britain herself) would conclude that we are a well-armed, thickly ■ populated country, anxious and ever ready to rush into war at the behest of the Old Country, whereas it is quite the contrary, and instead of being an. asset we are more of a liability, which ' may to some extent account for the • attitude Great Britain has taken up in regard to China. The claim made by a member that Great Britain has modified her policy' In China at the dictation of financial interests is truly amazing, and it is very evident that the same speaker would have made the same charge had < Great Britain refused to budge, and' precipitated a war with Japan. I would respectfully suggest to this, and other members on the Government side of the House, that till they are prepared to advocate that New Zealand should if required place our entire armed forces at the disposal of Great Britain in the event of war, they should hold their peace and leave the question of Great Britain’s foreign policy to those who are prepared and willing to support her, and if any adverse criticism is necessary .it can be safely left to the opposition in the House of Commons, where it can be effectively replied to and no undue misunderstanding will result in Germany and Italy in regard to the solidarity of the British Empire.—l am, etc., ' DEMOCRAT. Wellington, July 26.