The Hawera Star. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1935. BRITAIN INCREASES ARMAMENTS.

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 6 March 1935, Page 6

The Hawera Star.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6, 1935. BRITAIN INCREASES ARMAMENTS.

Delivered every evening by 5 o’clock in Hawera, Manaia, Kaupokonui, Otakebo, Oeo, Pibarna, Opunake. Eltham, Ngaere, Mangatoki, Kaponga, Awatuna. Te Kiri, Mahoe, Lowgarth, Manutahi, Kakara. mea, Alton, Hurleyville. Patea, Whenuakura, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara, Ohangai, Meremere, Fraser Hoad and Ararat*. ’ i

The significance of the Imperial Government’s White Paper pronouncement on armaments will not be lost on New Zealanders; the danger is that it may be exaggerated here. Though the announcement is important and the time and manner chosen for its utterance makes it dramatic, there is no reason for hysterics, for Great Britain is certainly not being moved by hysteria. The British Government has simply been compelled to face facts, the principal fact being that a strong Britain is a greater influence in the preservation of Avorld peace than a Britain which has allowed ideals to take place of armaments. It is very evident that Britain is convinced that she cannot continue straining disarmament talk and practice to the limits while the world has its Hitlers and Mussolinis. Both those men arc nation builders; there is no gainsaying that, even in Hitler’s case, for he is building, and has built, the type of Germany he visualised. The turning of the other cheek has no place in the philosophy of either dictator. Neither hesitates to glorify Avar as long as it is excused, by duty to the State. Both preach a doctrine of complete sacrifice of the interests of the individual as long as the State remains. Italy has shoAvn clearly that she Avill '‘fight on the drop of the hat” immediately her ambitions are threatened with frustration. A few months back she Avarned Hitler’s Germany to keep

Hands 'off ' Austria—and* backed’ up her warning by a display of force; at ■ the moment she is determined to keep Abyssinia in her place and at the same time demonstrate to the world that she will brook no interference. Italy is willing to subscribe to a policy of peace—but not peace at any price. Germany is not anxious to fall out with Great Britain and is willing to keep the peace with France—but not at any price. And while she is making that policy known through the utterances of Hitler, lifer youth is being brought up on the doctrine that- the nation may have to fight, and if so the agonies of war should be gladly suffered as a privilege of the. German birthright. All this would 'be harmless enough if Germany were as weak and helpless as some of those who imposed peace terms upon her visualised she would be eighteen years after the end of the Great War. ■ But she is not weak; indeed, it is claimed by some that she is in better* condition to fight to-day than she was in 1914. That is possibly an exaggeration; it is certain that she is not so strong in her internal economy as she was in the piping days of peace and prosperity just prior to 1914. Great Britain has gone to dangerous lengths in preaching, and endeavouring to practice,, disarmament in the face of this nationalistic fervour which is thriving in Germany and Italy and has always thrived in France and among the little nations of Europe. The Government’s critics are blaming it for * ‘ growing weary,” becoming cynical and giving way to its generals and admirals. This is a new note of criticism, particularly when it is aimed at Mr MacDonald and Mr Baldwin. Neither is a nationalistic fire-eater. Indeed, their opponents and the very bitter enemies of Mr MacDonald particularly, have been busy denouncing the Government for their criminal neglect of the Empire’s safety while trailing along in the pursuit of the will-o’-the-wisp of peace at Geneva. The nation and the world at large cannot have it both ways. Britain will be accused of encouraging the armaments race, but she can ignore that, for at present she is but an “also started” and has a longhandicap to overtake. The White Paper issued on the eve of the Foreign Secretary’s visit to Beran official Berlin which is making every effort to impress England with Germany’s desire for friendship will cause a profound impression in Europe-—and in Germany. It should do nothing to impair good relations with Germany, but should impress that country Britain is a friend worth having more than ever now. And if that is the result of the dramatic change that has come over British policy, Britain’s gesture can be reckoned as being of definite assistance in the maintenance of world peace.