PURSUIT OF PEACE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 69, 18 February 1939, Page 11

PURSUIT OF PEACE.

CONFIDENCE IN BRITAIN. SIR J. SIMON’S DECLARATION. LONDON, Feb. 17. “We arc not prepared to surrender any of our vital interests in the pursuit of peace,” said the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Sir John Simon), in a public speech. “There is an increasing feeling throughout the country regarding the prospects of peace,” Sir John added. “This more secure feeling results, first, from the knowledge that Britain is growing stronger daily and the people are prepared to shoulder any and every burden necessary for security ; secondly, from the close and warm Anglo-French understanding; thirdly, from the good relations with the United States; fourthly, from- the prospects of an early ending to the Spanish war; and, above all, from the determination with which Mr Chamberlain has pursued the promotion of understanding with others, whatever the form of their government.” Sir John added that British rearmament was not aggressive. Britain would welcome tlie day of a general reduction in armaments effectively secured by international agreement, thus enabling labour and capital to be devoted to peace works.