The Gisborne Times FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 8, 1935. THE HON. W. M. HUGHES’S INDISORETION”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 12704, 8 November 1935, Page 4

The Gisborne Times FRIDAY. NOVEMBER 8, 1935. THE HON. W. M. HUGHES’S INDISORETION”

The decision on the part of the Commonwealth Prime --Minister to eject the Hon. W. M. Hughes, the notable war-time holder of the office, from Cabinet,"is bound to occasion a great deal of discussion not only in Australia but' in all . other British communities. Mr Hughes’ -political misdemeanour lies, ’ it . seenis,, in tho fact that, in a book entitled “Australia and War To-day,” - be warned the Aus-

tralian-people that it 'would be quite a mistake, to rely solely upon ••••the League of Nations to 'prove ta/suro shield For the' great island continent. His contention hits, plainly, nettled Mr. Lyons, who has been very careful lately not do offend Laboritcs by allowing, any suggestion to be made to the . effect that his ■ government would, support the employment ■of military sanctions as well as economic .sanctions against Italy for' having so wickedly made war on Ethiopia. In connection with the. controversy, Mr. Hughes is,- however, • not likely to be worsted,- although ho has had to forego Cabinet rank for his supposed indiscretion. What is even within the bounds of • probability, is that the attempt by the League "to boycott. Italy may prove that Mr

Hughes has taken a much longer and much clearer view of matters than Mr Lyons. As far as can be gathered, Mr..'Hughes stood with--the rest of Cabinet- in support of 'Australia’s adherence to the League’s decision to

employ economic sanctions against Italy. Not until after the middle of the present month, when the embargo will como fully into operation,' will it he known how Maly will react to the punishment to be meted out ‘to her. Mr. Hughes, indeed, may turn out to Ik; right in inferring that Italy may forcibly resist the League ban. On. his part, Mr. Lyons, it is plain, is hanking on Italy being afraid to precipitate a more serious international clash. The present position is. of course, this : that, even now, the League wishes to avoid the necessity for, employing economic sanctions in their fullest possible measure. In the limited time prior to the date iixed in respect of the sanctions, however,-it is difficult to see how further peace negotiations might prove successful. The general opinion must he that the League— Britain in particular—is taking a great risk over tile matter,of employing economic sanctions in the manner that has been decided upon. If some major nations within the League and others outside it should ignore the plan, it can at host, only he partly successful and will merely hinder .Italy, without bringing her to her knees economically. What may prove to be the case is that nothing short of a blockade of Italy’s ports would lie effective. And who would he so rash as to suggest- that if the blockade system should require to lie adopted, Italy would not declare war sooner or later, particularly upon Britain?