WORLD RELATIONS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 230, 27 August 1935, Page 9

WORLD RELATIONS

BRITAIN’S PEACE EFFORTS

REFERENCE BY PREMIER. Per Press Association. RANGIORA, Aug. 26. Dealing with the general outlook on world affairs in his speech at Rangiora to-night, the Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes) said: “Looking for a moment beyond our own borders, we find that international trade is at a low ebb. The value of world trade for the year 1929 was 68,641,000,000 gold dollars, while by 1983 it had fallen to 24,179,000,000 gold dollars, a contraction of 65 per cent. During the early part of 1934 the value was again falling, but there seem to bo some indications of an improvement. Until international trade becomes freer and less restricted by high tariffs, quotas, embargoes, and other hampering regulations it is, however, impossible to hope for a complete revival of international trade as we have known it in the past. “From the political point of view again, the international situation is most difficult,” the Premier continued. “I wish it were possible to state with complete confidence that I believe all to be well with the world. Unfortunately it must be obvious to any competent observer of events that all is very well far from well. Indeed, it is perhaps not an exaggeration to say that there is more international suspicion and ill-will, and less guarantee of continued peace, than at any time since 1914.

“I do not suggest that a disaster is in any way imminent or even probable, but it would be absurd to deny the fact that, unless the nations ot the world can find some better way than at present of discussing their mutual problems and of amicably settling their differences, the world is by no means free from the danger of another catastrophe such as we experienced in 1914-18, though tlie very danger of the situation may itself produce its own solution. The position is an exceedingly ominous one and calls for the most earnest effort of every well-thinking individual, even in such a remote community as New Zealand. “The dispute between Italy and Abyssinia threatens the very basis of the collective peaci* structure, based upon the League of Nations at Geneva.

We, in New Zealand, remote as wo are geographically, are definitely and directly concerned. A great many people feel horrified at the thought of war. I need hardly say that the Government share this feeling to the full, and the people of this Dominion can rely upon it that the Government will take every step within its power and will exert all its influence to prevent any war in future.

“I do not propose to elaborate upon the present threatening situation of the controversy between Italy and Abyssinia further than to say that Great Britain has been foremost among all the nations in her endeavour to find a peaceful solution. The situation bristles with difficulties; but there is every reason to be proud of the action that the British Government are taking and their most earnest, persistent, and determined efforts in the interests of peace. In the face of very great difficulties the British Government have been steadily working towards a better understanding among the nations of the world, and we can all -join in the hope that in. the end their efforts will be successful,” the Prime Minister added.