PATH TO PEACE

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 82, 3 October 1929, Page 10

PATH TO PEACE

BRITAIN AND AMERICA

PRIME MINISTER'S VIEWS

"A WAITING GAME"

The belief that the negotiations at present proceeding between the Prims Minister of England and the President of the United States would"lead, to a general understanding between the" nations in regard to disarmament, was expressed by the Prime Minister (the Eight Hon. Sir Joseph Ward) to-day, when replying to a deputation representing" the Navy League. The deputation placed before the Prime JSinister its views in regard to disarmament but the Prime Minister stated that h« thought it would be better to wait:until the present, negotiations had been completed before placing the. league's representations before the Home. Government. ■ - -■• :

Mr. "B. Darroch, secretary of theleague, said he desired to convey to the Prime Minister the league's congratulations on the reply he had forwarded to the British Government in regard to the Singapore Base. The members of'the league ' had teen, thrilled and inspired by the reply. Beferring to disarmament, Mr. Darroch ?"iid that Great Britain had reduced er naval and air force strength to a greater extent than any other nation. France and Italy had not decreased their armaments to any extent. In fact, France had greatly increased the strength of her air force. Russia had increased her army, and the United; States had increased both her navy; and her air force. Mr. Darroch said he desired to make it clear that the league was in no way opposed- to disarmament otto the Leaguo of Nations; all it wanted to ensure was the security of the' British Empire. Security, was the crux of the whole position. -. ■ Mr. T. H. Foster, of Christchurch, warmly supported all Mr. Darroch had, said. "While it was the general feeling to-day that disarmament should be brought about, there was just a. danger that the new British Government would prove too conciliatory, and would lead' the way. He thought the British. Government should call, a halt until such time as the other nations had followed suit.' Mr. Foster stressed / the desirability of protecting the . trade routes of the Empire, and said the only; way that could be done was by the maintananee of an efficient navy. r The Bey. A. H. Norris, of Christchurch, said .the league was strongly* opposed to the policy of freedom of the seas, as they believed' that such a policy would lead to the prolongation, of wars. The Navy League advocated the adoption of the law of nations,which gave the right to searah and if necessary capture any vessel carrying contrabands of war. : . ■ TIMES CHANGING. The Prime Minister said they wera passing through times of change so far as their relationship with the. British Navy and the navy's relationship with New Zealand were concerned. The trip of the Prime Minister of England to New York was going to be productive of something, and the result of thai negotiations was likely to be an air teration of the position of the Dominions as compared with the position, before and during the war. ..If Mr. Mac Donald and Mr. Hoover were able ;to come to terms, it could be taken as certain" that" three other nations—Germany, France, and. Italy—would " be invited to join in. If that was brought about then the world would be in for a lengthy period of peace. Sir Joseph, said it was his conviction that a further reduction in armaments would fol« low the meeting in New York; and in view of the reductions which had been made since.the close of the war it was, inclined to make 6ne a little- anxious. "In the meantime," said the Prime Minister. "I think we will havato play; a waiting game, instead of stepping in, and conveying our views to the British Government. It will be better for; us to wait until this meeting in America is over aad until we see the result of the overtures! If they are able to come to an agreement, it will be'th'e first time that the United States of America and Great Britain have been in alliance for defensive purposes, and we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that we would be allied: with one of the most important.sections of the world.'• Sir Joseph remarked that Great; Britain] was not prepared to go to war at the present time, and none ■of the European countries were prepared. The only nation that was ready for war was the United States of America, and he was satisfied that the conversations with President Hoover would lead toj a friendly understanding with thafi country. .

Sip Joseph said he warmly appreci* ated the reference to His attitude '■ inj regard to the Singapore Base.; ' Hej held very strong views on the subject/ and he had not hesitated to express them. The British Government had not yet taken any action in regard to the Base, and he was of the opinion; that they would let it alone. He believed the Base would be necessary foi^ the protection of the Dominion's exports between New Zealand and thai Old Country. Sir Joseph" said that' while he was in full sympathy with the views expressed by the deputation, he thought it would be better to refrain; from making any representations -'tar the Home Government until sn.eh time as the negotiations with America ha 4 concluded. He had been in. communi. cation with Mr. Mac Donald for somqj months past, and had made a numbed of representations to' him, some of which had not been acceptable to th* Home Government. Ho was not ablf to give details, as the matter was eon> fidential. . ' '