DISARMAMENT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 24 November 1927, Page 9

DISARMAMENT.

BRITISH ATTITUDE AT GENEVA. CRUISERS TO PROTECT TRADE ROUTES. fcY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPY EIGHT. LONDON, Nov. 23. A high-placed official states that it may be taken for granted that Lord Goshen dun at the League Preparatory Committee meeting on November 30 will, if naval disarmament crops up, most strictly adhere to Mr. Bridgeman’s speech at Geneva, laying down Britain’s irreducible needs in cruisers for protecting the Empire trade routes. The deferring o,f the construction of two 10,000-ton ships in the present year is not a sign of a weakening of policy but merely giving the United States a chance to build to parity if she desires. Meanwhile Britain will not neglect adequate provision of 6000tonners, fast and well gunned, for trade routes, and if there are indications* of over fondness for 10,000-t-on-ners elsewhere, Britain’s resources can quickly be marshalled to provide the answer.—A.P.A. and “Sun.”

MOTION BY MR. MACDONALD. DEPLORING LACK OF PREPARATION. LONDON, Nov. 22. Mr. J. Rl. MacDonald on Thursday will move deploring the Government's lack of preparation and the military character of the British delegation, which the motion declares seriously contributed to the failure of the Naval Conference at Geneva, the slow progress by the League’s Preparatory Disarmament Commission, and the Government’s refusal to accept the principle of arbitration and promote a scheme of international security guaranteed by the League.—A.P.A. and “Sun.”