Importance of Re-arming

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 236, 6 October 1936, Page 7

Importance of Re-arming

British Chancellor’s Significant Speech

PRESS REACTIONS

(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Oct. 3.

Editorial comment in morning papers i* principally directed to the speech which the Chancellor of the Exchequer (Mr. Nevilio Chamberlain) delivered last night at a mass meeting in connection with the Conservative Party conference at Margate.

The Morning Post describes it as “an inspiring and italising message," and the Daily Telegraph says that “confidence which was well justified resounded through the speoch.” General interest is displayed in the reference in Mr. Chamberlain's opening remarks to the leader, whose place he was taking by special request. The conference was delighteci with the assurance that when he had seen Mr. Baldwin during his brief visit to Downing Street, Mr. Chamberlain had found him much refreshed by his holiday and in great spirits, and that the Prime Minister himself had “every expectation that by the.time Parliament reassembles he will be fully able to copo with the heavy tasks which will then lie before him.” The meeting sent a message to Mr. Baldwin assuring him of the party’s continuance of its loyal support.

Industrial Revival.

The Times recalls that the Prime Minister once said that his Government would be judged mainly by tho effect of its policy en unemployment, and thinks that captious critics must fall silent before its record in tms respect as set out in the Chancellor’s speech. Mr. Chamberlain said: “Our anticipation last October that if the .National Government were again returned to office we might expect a continuance of the industrial recovery which had taken place in the preceding four years has been more than fulfilled. Indeed, when I consider the disturbed conditions of the world and all the restrictions which still hamper international trade, I cannot but bo astonished at the progress of our industry. Every month since January last there has been an increase of employment, at an average rate of nearly 90,000 a month. This improvement is not confined to particular areas. It covers almost every part of tho country and nearly all the important industries. .Even the depressed areas, the most obstinate and difficult part of tho unemployment problem, are beginning to feel the effects of the revival.” He went on to cito figures showing the rcmarkatde expansion of the iron aud steel industry, of the rayon and the automobile industries, and even of shipbuilding, and stated that wage increases recorded in 1936 represented a further £18,000,000 yearly in the pockets of the wageearners.

Tho Re-armament Issue,

The comment shows that tho papers attach great importance to the passages in the Chancellor’s speech relating to re-armament.

The Times considers that he stated the case for the renovation of the national defences in the way iu which it has presented itself to the judgment ot the nation, and approves his reiteration .that British re-armament has been and will be accompanied by constant efforts towards constructive international coi laboration. The Chancellor told his audience of the reasons as a Minister responsible for the national'' finances, and that he had reached the conviction that “the state of the world renders it essential to embark on the largest programme of expenditure on defence that the country has ever undertaken iu time of peace. When the programme is completed we shall once moro have a Navy adequate to protect our vital lines of communication. We shall have an Army trifling in numbers beside the vast conscript armies of the Continent, but equipped with the most modern weapons and mechanical devices that science can give us, and we shall have an Air Force which in speed, range, and power of machines, aud in quality of its personnel, will be second to none. I regard the Air Force, when fully developed, as the most formidable detcrTont to war that could bo devised, and I support its establishment with greater conviction and enthusiasm because every one knows that it will never tie used to make an unprovoked attack on any other country.* ’

Currency Stabilisation.

The Daily Telegraph makes the point that international unrest is inflamed by economic difficulties, and draws .attention to Mr. Chamberlain’s references to the revaluation of the franc. As to the French Government’s decision, the Chancellor said: “1 was very glad to co-operate with them and with the Government of the United States in minimising the disturbing effects of that operation, and I am hopeful that the declarations issued by the three Governments will prove to be a step towards the restoration of more stable conditions in the international' monetary system. The British Government will at all times be ready to take its part in any steps that will help to restore confidence and to remove, or at least reduce, the more excessive forms of restrictions by which freedom of international trade is hampered.’* The Daily Telegraph also comments on Mr. Chamberlain’s concluding appeal for greater attention to physical education. The Daily Mail also considers this ope of the most anxious problems of the time. - v

Defence and Security.

The Chancellor’s speech ?s not without its critics in the Press. The Daily Express finds Mr. Chamberlain’s drum eomewhat muffled, and his re-armament plans too distant. Mr. Chamberlain said it was futile and dangerous to attempt to distinguish between arma--'ments necessary to Britain’s own de jffence and what wa3 required foy fulfiliment of her ...-international obligations,

land the Manchester Guardian finds in this statement reason for despair and is forced to believe that the present Government still cannot understand even what is meant by tho wisdom of collective security. It thinks that the Government talks of defence and collective security as'though they were two different things. “Defence must always come first, and only then, when security has been gained by our own efforts, may we consider collective security to please an incurably sentimental electorate.” The Daily Herald, from a similar angle, says: “Once again we find private confidence in national competitive armaments as in some way a guarantee of peace and security. Ono would 'think it impossible that such a belief ould survive August, 1914. But here it is again as vigorous and dominant as ever, with nothing changed except that where then it was tho Navy which was to secure peace it is now an Air Force of terrific striking power.”