FACTOR FOR PEACE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 308, 27 November 1936, Page 6

FACTOR FOR PEACE.

BRITISH EMPIRE’S TASK DOMINION’S OPPORTUNITY. Per Press Association. HASTINGS, Nov. 27. “The worst of the economic blizzard lias now passed clear of the heads and has found its way through,” said Sir James Steel-Maitland, addressing the Englisli-topeaking Union, in Hastings. "Tlie state of Europe to-da.y, however, needs just such clear and urgent thinking. The spirit of unrest abroad is mainly in Continental countries, and wars and rumours of war are too much in evidence. This atmosphere ' of unrest is much less obvious in Great Britain, where level headed statesmen realise tha.t the policy of disarmament has to be abandoned, and it has been necessary to re-equip ourselves for defence. “Whether we have a war or not depends very much on the people’s feelings, and it would be to a great advantage if the principles of the Eng-lish-Speaking Lnion could be brought into being,” Sir James continued. “The American public, however, do not want alliances with Britain. In America very few are internationally minded. Much could be done to further the union in. the United States, and there is a definite idea to weld the people together to have a feeling of nationality, but it may be manv years before the American people as a nation realise that they cannot set themselves apart from others. The British Commonwealth must be able to rely on the produce of the Empire when in trouble. Considerable industries could be opened up in New Zealand, and schemes well thought out would obtain British capital to finance them. The suggestion need not be altruistic, because it would benefit New Zealand as well as the Empire. The world must be made to realise that the British Commonwealth of Nations stands more closely than ever. This would be a deterrent to war and a safeguard to peace,” Sir Arthur added.