Tremendous Issues

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 246, 18 October 1935, Page 11

Tremendous Issues

Reasons for Britain’s Stand (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Oct. 15. The Chancellor of tho Exchequer, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, speaking at Glasgow last night, referred to tho tromcudous issues now being debated at Geneva. The astonishing demonstration of agreement there had come about, he said, because of tho realisation that there were fundamental issues at stake, that the old system of alliances and the balance of power had gone, and that in its place tho League was the only instrument to which they could look to give security against war. The League was au imperfect instrument, but there was enough left of it to make it a very formidable body to offend if its members clioso to take collective and effective action. If the Leaguo was enabled sufficiently to exert its authority to limit or shorten the struggle in Africa it would inspire such new coniidence and earn such new respect that its powers of preserving peace would bo multiplied indefinitely. If tho League were to abdicate its function under the Covenant every weak nation would first begin to arm and then to seek alliance with its strongest neighbour, and before long the peace of Europe w f ould bo at the mercy of the biggest arid strongest Powers. Duce Has Missed the Point. Mr. Chamberlain said ‘ he had no reason to doubt what Signor Mussolini had said—that whatever happened he did not intend to injure the interests of Britain—but in putting that forward Signor Mussolini had missed tho whole point. “He has not apparently understood, ” lie said, “that it is possible for a nation to think not of its immediate direct interest, but of the ultimate object which is to be gained and in which that nation has only a share in common with all its fellow-members of the League. Wo have admitted that Italy may reasonably entertain a desire for expansion. We have professed our readiness to help ner to secure her legitimate ambitions so long as she did that without resort to war; Even now, when she has begun hostilities, wo. have never withdrawn those words, and wc have not sought in any way to close the door which a little while ago wo sought to open to her. In spito of that, we seem to have been singled out for special resentment, and I am sure that the feelings of Italians have been further embittered and their hostility deliberately directed against this country by those in authority. . . . . Unjustified Reproaches. “I can only say we cannot be turned from our purpose by any reproaches of that character—reproaches which are without any justification whatever, for indeed tho issues are far too big. The choico before us is whether we shall make a last effort at Geneva for peace and security or whether by cowardly surrender we shall break a promise, we have made and hold ourselves up to till Shame of our children and their children’s children.’ *

People of Britain Strong for Peace SIR SAMUEL HOARE TALKS TO U.S.A, REMOVAL OP BARRIERS (British Official Wireless) RUGBY, Oct. 15. The Foreign Secretary (Sir Samuel Hoare) broadcast an address this afternoon to the fifth annual women's conference on current problems which is meeting in New York. lie said that he hoped his speech in the League Assembly on September 11 had established beyond doubt that tho British people wero solidly behind tho Covenant and wero determined to resist all acts of unprovoked aggression and to substitute peaceful methods of settlement for war. Ho had tried to look behind the immediate political difficulties to the causes of bitterness and strife and had selected for special attention among the causes to be removed the question of tho control and distribution of colonial raw materials. Ho had suggested that it would bo well to anticipate controversy by examining that question without unnecessary delay.

Sir Samuel Hoaro then commended

to his hearers the recent publication of the economic section of the League Secretariat, called “Remarks on the present phase of International Economic Relations,” describing it as a sermon on tho folly of our times. Fundamental Task Ho cited a statement that “The malady from which the world is now suffering is no longer entirely a crisis, but is rather the inability of the countries to co-ordinate their several efforts to emerge from the crisis,” and himself continued, “I fully agree. It seems to me that the lowering of the barriers to international trade, slow and difficult as the task must inevitably be, is one of tho most fundamental of the tasks of the present time. “It is a task that must be persistently and courageously pursued, not only by Ministers of Commerce who desire to jn’ornoto the economic welfare of tho world, but also by all those who wish to promote international friendship and serve the great cause of peace.” The Foreign Secretary referred appreciatively to tho constant advocacy of theso ideals by the American Secretary of Stato (Senator Cordell Hull) and the sympathetic remarks in the same sense made by the French Minister of Commerce (M. Bonnet) in the Leaguo Asscmbly r . Ho recalled that when the Assembly adopted a resolution recommending freer trade between nations Senator Hull had sent a message cordially supporting the League’s endeavours. It was a source of great encouragement that the Governments of three great trading nations were looking in the same direction, but the road ahead would not be easy. “Take the Long View” “It is never easy to take the long view as against the short,” ho said, “and remember the ultimate good of all rather than the immediate advantages of each.” In conclusion, Sir Samuel Hoarc said that in democracies, statesmen must appeal to the understanding and imagination of the people for, if they could not carry the people with them, their individual wisdom was of no avail. ‘ “This is why I welcome the chance of speaking to a great American audionce,” he said, “I want to convince you that we in Great Britain stand for the abolition of war and the mentality of war, whether on the field of battle, or on tho field of commerce, industry, and labour. We want a new world and a new order in human relations in which peace and justice, trade, and intercourse, shall be secure, and I am sure that these are also your wishes and ideals.”