“COMMON PRUDENCE”

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 47, 24 January 1939, Page 7

“COMMON PRUDENCE”

BRITAIN’S DEFENCES.

INSURANCE FOR PEACE

MR CHAMBERLAIN’S VIEW

(United Press Association—Bv Electric . Telegraph— Copyright.) Received January 24, ]1.45 a.m. LONDON, Jan. 23. Mr Neville Chamberlain (Prime Minister), inaugurating- the national service campaign, to-day, said : “It is a scheme to make us ready for war. That does not mean I think war is coming. You know I have done all I can to preserve peace for ourselves and others.

“We would never begin a war, but might be forced to participate in a war begun by others or might be attacked if the Government of another country thought we could not defend ourselves.”

Mr Chamberlain proceeded: “Therefore, the better we are prepared the less likely is it that any aggressor would try an adventure on which tho chances of success would be so unpromising.

“The development of air forces has deprived Britain of its old island security. Civilians might be the first victims of an 'attack. The necessary organisation for our protection must be made in peace-time. Moreover, wc must train in peace-time, for there will be no time to train after a war starts. Therefore, the scheme is merely common prudence,” added the Prime Minister.