SECURITY IN EUROPE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 120, 19 April 1940, Page 7

SECURITY IN EUROPE.

GREAT BRITAIN’S DESIRE. NO THREATS IMPLIED. (British Official Wireless.) Received April 19, 10.5 a.m. RUGBY, April 18. “These consultations, which have now been concluded, have afforded evidence of the close interest which the British Government takes in the countries concerned. The purpose of the discussion has been, in accordance with the Government’s settled policy, the promotion of security in the Balkan and Danubian countries.” With these words Mr Chamberlain, speaking in the House of Commons, prefaced a brief statement concerning the discussions which have been taking place between the Government and British representatives in South-East-ern Europe, who have now returned, or are returning, to their posts. “Not one of these States between whom it is the desire of the Allies to see the growth of mutual understanding lias anv cause for fear that the Allies or their forces will ever threaten their independence or integrity,” declared the Premier. “In the economic field the discussions have been conducted o.n the basis that it is the policy of His Majesty’s Government 60 to develop their relations with these countries as to ensure, as far as possible, a lasting increase in their commercial exchanges with them.” Mr Chamberlain also stated that the representatives, who had also been assisted in the discussion with the Government by the presence in London of the British Ambassadors in Rome and Moscow, had had the opportunity of hearing from Lord Swinton some account of the new Commercial Corporation and the work which the corporation intends to carry out in order to develop and place permanently on a broader basis the trade exchanges between this country and South-Eastern European States,