DISARMAMENT ISSUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20105, 16 November 1928, Page 13

DISARMAMENT ISSUE.

DIFFICULTY OF SOLUTION. BRITAIN READY TO CO-OPERATE. British Wireless. RUGBY. Nov. 14. The debate on foreign affairs in the House of Commons last evening was concluded by Mr. W. C. Bridgeman, First Lord of the Admiralty. He dealt briefly with the future of the naval disarmament negotiations.

Mr. Bridgeman confessed that he was disappointed that every well-meant effort to arrive at some solution of a very difficult problem was invariably met by most unreasonable suspicions. However, Britain would not abandon her desire to reach an agreement in any possible way that might be presented to her. Perhaps it might be better now if some other country made some concessions toward reaching an agreement, which Britain had been attempting to do from time to time. If they would do so they would find no nation more ready to listen to them than Britain. Her position was not a very simple one. If she had to deal only with the League of Nations, or only with the United States, her course might be more simple. These attempts to arrive at very elaborate tables and formalities certainly led to suspicion. They might lead to friction and very likely to expense.

The reason was that if a maximum were fixed it was so apt to become a standard. It was possible that some agreement might bo reached more easily if each nation were not tied down to quotas. The natural desire for economy among most of the nations would have its effect. A little more latitude and -a little less elaboration might assist to a future solution. At any rate Britain was prepared to consider any scheme that was' possible for proceeding with a reduction of armaments.