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Hokitika Guardian, 1 September 1927, Page 2

The resignation of Viscount Cecil from the British Cabinet creates a mild sensation which will have some interest to world politics. The Cecils arc a raco of statesmen, and Viscount Cecil as a son of Lord Salisbury, must have inherited some of his father’s acumen for far-sightedness. The Viscount has been always of an independent and purposeful character. His work in connection with the League of Nations lias been outstanding, and his connection with the Disarmament Conference must have been 110 less congenial, seeing that tho subject was hut a stepping stone towards the ideal of the League’s operations. It is clear from Mr Baldwin’s review of his late colleague’s resignation, that tho British Government appreciated tho worth of Viscount Cecil in the particular branch to which lie was attached, and gave him rather a free hand in his proposals. "Reading between the lines, wo should say that the chagrin of tho Viscount was brought about liv the conflict between the political and the naval advisers at the Conference. While tho former had certain obligations to do what they might in the endeavour to work for a world pence on economical lines, tho latter had obligations which were <-onsidered more paramount to see that whatever was done should he with the golden rule of “safety first” always in mind. Li other words, the 01111 s was on tho. naval advisers to see that British maritime interests would not lie endangered wore the worst to happen under any compromise affected at Geneva. The points of view differed. as well they might, seeing that Viscount Cecil was not au fait with wfiat tho oversea Dominions required as a first aid to national security. He lias moved in a different atmosphere, and his views have been affected accordingly. Nor do wo see how his point of view will be helped by his action at this juncture. As an advocate of a certain policy he had greater power and influence as a Minister than merely as one of Britain’s millions. An individual against the concerted naval opinion of the Great Britain is far removed in influence from a Minister of the Crown. Certainly liv resigning lie draws pointed attention to his views, hut if that policy he already vetoed by tho accepted authority of the nation in tho matter what advantage is to he gained by a layman expressing a contrary opinion? The crime Minister has summed up the position ve’rv dearly and indicated that in the matter of disarmament Great Britain may go only to certain lengths, and to that extent the Government has gone quite willingly. The same ideals are adopted by both the Government and Viscount Cecil, and after all it is only the method of attaining them. The chagrined Minister wants to take a dangerous short cut. Tho Government prefers a safety course.