NAVAL ARMAMENTS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 24 July 1928, Page 9

NAVAL ARMAMENTS

A MINISTER'S REPLY.

QUESTIONS IN THE COMMONS

THE ‘PRIME; MINISTER'S REPLY

(United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph Copyright.)

(Australian Press Association —United Service.) Received 1.50 p.m. to-day. LONDON, July 23. In the House of Commons Commander Kemvor.thy inquired Whether Sir William Joynson Hicks's speech on the reduction of naval armaments represented the Government’s policy. The Rt. Hon. Stanley Baldwin; “I did not detect any (statement of policy, but merely an expression of the hope that the signature of the peace pad; would lead to a further reduction of arm aments.”

Commander Kenworthy : “Are you aware of Sir William’s premises as to the increase of the. United States Navy was quite inaccurate ? How was it that- Sir William was not informed of such an important matter?” Mr Baldwin: “I think my answer fair. The .passage to winch you refer seems to tie in. t-lve form of a rhetorical question.” Further questioned, Mr Baldwin replied: “I can only isiay that had I been speaking on that matter, 1 might have expressed it somewhat differently, but I 'hope that when Commander Kenworthy comes to sit here he will exercise- the Avisdom and, reticence of most of my colleagues in most of their speeches.” , Mr J. Wedgwood: “The speech caused a great deal of trouble in America. 1 Is it not time your colleagues were lietter informed on matters of this kind?” Mr Baldwin: No, I cannot agree as to that. I think a great deal of trouble comes from the assiduity with aaThcli isolated sentences from speeches of both sides are taken from the- context and are immediately cabled across.”