EUROPE REARMS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 November 1936, Page 5

EUROPE REARMS

NEED DEPLORED

FOREIGN SITUATION REVIEWED.

Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). >

LONDON., November 9. jTlie Prime Minister (Mr Stanley Baldwin), speaking at the L^rd- Mayor’s banquet, in a. survey of the foreign situation, expressed ; gratification at

Italy’s receptipn of Mr-. Eden’s assurance that British and Italian relations » in the Mediterranean were not divergent, but complementary. , ■

The Government had ' left no stone unturned to prevent the Spanish conflict spreading, and would continue to endeavour to induce both:sides to avoid unnecessary suffering to 1 the civil population. '■

Mr Baldwin continued: “To-day, , while we are still finding and burying bodies of the men who felfin the Great War, the whole of Eutope is arming. What good Can come of* it ? In so far as we devote our time to making arms, we delay improvement in the 'standard of living. Moreover, the growth of international trade is also delayed. If the nations too long devote their attention to material things,' the peoples will grow discontented iand, despair ; thus making war more likely. Every great nation has something to give the world. Freedom of the spirit is our contribution.”

Reviewing, the situation of,. the. Mast five years Mr Baldwin said they had shown that the position of London was based ,on something deeper than the gold standard. Recent events had shown that the f&ctor of stability could be used in a system of co-operation. The constant aim ofothq-Government* in financial and economic policies had been to revive confidence. He rejoiced at the conclusion of the clearing agreement and commercial agreement in Rome. ■ . '

Speaking of the forthcoming fivepower conference, Mr Baldwin scid he hoped the new treaty—-which .it was hoped would result from the conference—would be a • firm step 'towards a general European settlement.

Mr Baldwin said the British Government was looking forward to a further period of friendly, co-operation with the Government of Mr Roosevelt on matters of 'mutual concern.

In reference to the treaty'of alliance and friendship with Egypt he said it must be regarded as a happy augury. “We welcome Egypt as our new ally,” he said. . \

Mr A. Eden (Foreign Secretaryj welcomed Herr von Ribbentrop (German Ambassador), and Colonel Beck (Polish representative).