King Country Chronicle. Thursday, February 11, 1937. EMPIRE DEFENCE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXI, Issue 4954, 11 February 1937, Page 4

King Country Chronicle. Thursday, February 11, 1937. EMPIRE DEFENCE.

In a forecast made this week a London newspaper called “The People,” which seems to be well informed on the British Government's policy, states that the Dominions will be asked to provide £10,000,000 for Empire defence when the Imperial Conference meets next May. Whatever reliance may be placed on this prophecy it is almost certain that the question of defence will be one of the outstanding issues at the Conference, and the Dominions be requested to shoulder a greater measure of responsibility in this way than they have done in the past. It can be taken for granted that the Dominion delegates will be given all the facts concerning the dangers that lie ahead of the Empire, and the need for an Empire understanding to be prepared for another world outbreak. International affairs are in a condition which might precipitate a major crisis at any moment and there is an urgent need for a full and frank discussion of Empire defence by statesmen upon whom a tremendous responsibility rests at the present time. Europe to-day can be likened to a huge chessboard where each nation is trying to gain an advantage over the others. It is a game of bluff, counter-bluff, and intrigue. All these countries are jealous of the position that Britain occupies in world affairs, and the vast territories over which she holds sway. One false move on the part of Britain, and the climax to the vast expenditure on world armaments would be brought about. Had Britain remained v/eak in armaments war would most likely have started in Europe long before this. Germany is the main source of

danger to world peace. If she can create trouble for Britain and France, and form an aggressive alliance with Japan and Italy, then war is inevitable —a war in which the whole of Europe would be involved. Germany and Italy would confine their operations to Europe and Japan would complete her ambitions in China and even extend these ambitions to the Pacific. In such a happening the outlook for Australia and New Zealand would be extremely precarious. These two countries have been so free from national dangers that many people are of the belief that any idea of an attack is fantastic, but even a superficial study of the trend of world affairs to-day would prove there is nothing at all fantastic about the dangers that threaten both Dominions. Japan would have her armies engaged in China, but the bulk of her navy, the third most powerful in the world, would be free to operate in the Pacific. Hitherto these two Dominions have relied on the British Navy for their defence, but Britain would require all her naval forces in European waters. Australia has a small navy and New Zealand a still smaller one, but these ships would never stand a chance with the powerful warships of the Japanese navy. The only hope is that the United States would take a hand in frustrating any ambitions Japan has in the Pacific, but the policy of that country is most uncertain. This may be taking rather a pessimistic view of the world outlook, but it has been well established that there are many nations which would welcome the downfall of the British Empire, and every unit of that Empire must take the necessary precautions to provide adequate defensive measures. The time has come to shed that policy of self-complacency that is so evident in this Dominion. When the climax does come over the strenuous race for armaments, it will be sudden and there will be no time to make any preparations to meet the situation. The Mother Country is feverishly working to build up her army, navy and air force, but the Dominions appear to be quite apathetic in regal’d to their own safety.