Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 1925. PACT’S CRITICS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 June 1925, Page 4

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE SATURDAY, JUNE 27, 1925. PACT’S CRITICS.

It is becoming habitual tactics with some Homeland newspapers and politicians, when attacking Government policy,/ to use overseas Dominions’ opinions. Whether these are representative or not, does not seem to matter so long as the views expressed bolster up the case of the oppositionists. The Dominions sho'uld, perhaps, feel flattered by this acknowledgment of their"status, but the sincerity of the 'compliment can be doubted. Criticisms of the Baldwin Cabinet’s policy concerning the Euro pean security pact are mainly based on hypothetical- objections from overseas, although none has

so far been officially raised.by:any Empire Cabinet. This,unnecessary dragging-in of overseas, lands' to buttress a weak ease will work mischief if it is encouraged, but fortunately, Ministers are unlikely to take such comments so seriously as do those who make them. As we have emphasised before, the Homeland cannot regard the position in Europe with Unconcern. Politically and commercially it is. of vital importance to her that the situation should be stabilised and occasions for dispute, leading to possible hostilities, minimised. Left to themselves, (Some of the Continental nations wo'uld run riot, with tragic consequences to other and wiser people. British intervention has already achieved much, notably the new attitude adopted by France towards Germany, and if Britain can improve the. chances of permanent peace being maintained, it is her duty as well as in her interests, to do so. This necessarily means the promise of armed support in certain circumstances and so long as this obligation is limited and not able to be. taken advantage of By imprudent' friends; there can be little objection to Britain signing a pact to that effect. Mr. Chamberlain’s, policy is obviously the Cabinet’s also, as Foreign Secretaries, in these days, are not permitted to do just what’ they personally please. Mr. Chamberlain is regarded by .some of his. critics as too pro-French, but his statement to the House of Commons,. this,, week, proved that he Was not blind to British interests.. There are - dangers- in whatever arrangement is ultimately secured, but there is even greater danger in Britain doing nothing. The pact is still in the. negotiation stage, and nothing will be done in a hurry. It is not Mr. Chamberlain but some' of his more irresponsible critics who are setting the Dominions against the Motherland, and too much attention is given to these Ministerial opponents by those responsible for the selection of cablegrams for the overseas Press. The pact will supplement the League of Nations and,, in practice, should..never be acted upon, if the mutual obligations under such covenant are honoured. If goodwill and good faith are intended, a security pact must aid to preserve peace and to promote disarmament. New Zealand shows, a right •, instinct in placing confidence in the- Homeland Cabinet to. do nothing detrimental to the Empire’s- interests. More value would be to the criticisms, of the pact policy, if those who made them told an expectant world what they proposed as aii alternative to the pact. Such scheme, of course, would have to be, acceptable to all. parties. The pact, if signed, will not be the last word of the peace-preservers, as it can be used as a lever for better things. Without some such sort of agreement, Europe must go from bad to worse. ! :