BRITAIN'S EFFORTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 77, 28 September 1938, Page 12

BRITAIN'S EFFORTS

SUPPORT OF DOMINION!

The fervent hope that the war clouds in Europe would even yet be dissolved was expressed by the Minister of Education (the Hon. P. Fraser) when speaking at Roseneath last evening.

"Those of you who have perused tonight's paper must be impressed with the very serious position in Europe— a position which has been brought about by dictators trying to bully the ■ world and particularly the democratic nations," said Mr. Fraser. "I can only say that never did the people of the British Commonwealth of Nations desire peace more devoutly and more sincerely than they do at the present moment. . » "I hope that even at the eleventh hour the war clouds can be dissolved. It is lamentable that as we approach the middle of the twentieth century men's thoughts should tura to war and bloodshed. It is a very sad spectacle, and I trust even at the last hour—and it does seem as if we are at the eleventh hour—that the crisis can be avoided. "In spite of what rulers say," Mr. Fraser added, "my belief is that the vast masses of the people do not want to go to war or to kill and destroy one another. I am quite sure about that. (Applause.) It is patent to everybody that Great Britain has never striven to such an extent to bring about peace and obviate the possibility of war as she has done on this occasion. If the ordeal does commence we can only do I all we possibly can to support the j Motherland in the stand she has taken for peace and for democracy." (Applause.) Mr. Fraser was asked whether, in the event of war, the Labour Government would conscript the people of New Zealand for home service of any kind. "I could not answer that question," said Mr. Fraser, "because I don't know what modern war means. I hope we won't have war. One thing I will say is that the religious scruples and consciences of the people will always be respected by the Labour Government, and, I hope, by any Government." "We all regret the unfortunate position which exists in Europe today," said Mr. C. H. Chapman when speaking to electors of Wellington North last night. "We are some 14,000 miles away and may feel more or less secure, but if Britain is at war we are at war."

New Zealand must be in a position to defend herself, Mr. Chapman added, and the Government's realisation of that fact had led to an increase in defence expenditure from £600,000 to £3,000,000. The money was not being spent in a haphazard way. What was being done was done after consultation with the Imperial Government. The Labour Government could claim to have done more for defence than any other half-dozen Governments.