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Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1938, Page 4

I cannot remember any situation quite like the present one in British politics, in which a Conservative Government is being reproached by a Liberal and Socialist Opposition for taking a too pe iceful course, and 1 hope it will not be prolonged beyond necessity, writes Mr J. A. Spender, the veteran Liberal, in the Yorkshire Observer. If the present negotiations are to be extended to include Germany and to seek the four-Power pact which is ultimately the way of peace, and (at present) the only way back to “collective security,’' we British must be prepared for give and take on a pretty large scale. As negotiations go forward it will probably be found that substantial concessions, some of which may be very unpopular, are necessary on our part and ought in justice to be made. When that time copies a Liberal and progressive Opposition, which will support the Government in making these concessions an] refrain from making party capital ouf of them, may very well be one of the essentials of peace. Looking ahead, I think all opponents of the Government, but especially Liberals, have to beware lest, in the atmosphere of recrimination, they may fail in this essential part. For them to be ready to play it at the right moment, and in the meantime to keep recrimination within bounds, seems to me most desirable in these dangerous times.