A HELPING HAND

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 5 March 1925, Page 5

A HELPING HAND

TOWARDS EUROPEAN PEACE ATTITUDE OF AMERICA. POLITICAL DETACHMENT. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. WASHINGTON, March 4. Presklent Cloolidge’s, inaugural address is his most important State document since assuming office. • He said,: “Realising that we cannot live unto ourselves alone, we have contributed our resources and ,our counsel to the relief of suffering and the settlement of disputes among the European nations. It will, be well not to. be too much disturbed by the thought,, of either isolation, or the entanglement of pacifists and militarists. “There is much to be, hoped tor in international relation,s from frequent conferences, and consultations. We have recently committed ourselves to covenants with other great nations to the limitation of our sea power. As one result of this our navy ranks larger in comparison, than it ever did before. We have before us the beneficial results, of the Washington conference and various consultations, recently held on European affairs, some of which were in. response to our suggestions and in some of which we were active participants. .1 strongly favour the continuation of this policy whenever conditions: are. «uch that there i.s. even, a promise that practicable and favourable results might be secured. “We have long advocated the peaceful settleriient of disputes by the methods of arbitration. and. have negotiated many treaties to secure that result. The same considerations should lead to our adherence to the |>ermanemt court of international justice. I feel that where great principles are involved, where great movements are under wav which promise much for the welfare of humanity by reason of the very fact that many other nations have given such movements their actual support, we ought not to withhold our own, sanction because of any small unessential difference. “We have never had any wish to interfere in, the political conditions of other countries. We are essentia.lJy determined not to become implicated in the political controversies of the Old World, but we have not failed nor ■shall we fail to respond whenever necessary to mitigate -human suffering and to. assist in the rehabilitation of distressed nations. It seems, that altogether .probably we can contribute most to these objects by maintaining our position of political detachment and independence. We' are not identified with any Old. World interests. This position .should be made more clear in our relations with all foreign countries. We have made great contributions to the settlement of contentious differences, both in Europe and in Aisia, but there is a, very definite point beyond which we cannot go. We can only help those who help "themselves. ’ Commenting on home affairs the President said : “The wisest and soundest method of solving our tax problem is through economy. We no longer need wartime revenues, and the collection of taxes which are not absolutely required is only a species ol legalised larceny. The time is arriving when we can have further tax reduction. The method of. raising revenue ought not to impede the transaction of business. It ought to. encourage it. “I am opposed to extremely high rates because they produce little more revenue, because they are. bad for the country, and finally because they are wrong. We cannot finance -our country, we cannot improve our social conditions through any system of injustice-. Even if we attempt to inflict it upon the rich, those who suffer most will be the poor.” Mr. Cool id ge concluded with an appeal for respect for the prohibition laws.” “In a. republic the. first rule for the guidance of citizens is obodp en.ee to the law,” lie said. . “Those who disregard the rules of society are notiexhibiting superior intelligence, are not promoting freedom and independent. and are not following the path of civilisation, but they tare displaying traits ,of ignorance, servitude and savagery, and are treading the way that leads back to the jungle.”