EXPORT OF ARMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21961, 19 November 1934, Page 9

EXPORT OF ARMS

CONTROL IN BRITAIN MANY ORDERS REFUSED British Wireless RUGEY. Nov. 16 The Dominions Secretary, Mr. J. H. Thomas, in a speech at Newport, said that neither directly nor indirectly had there been any secret agreement involving Britain in commitments on the Continent. The Government was faced with many difficulties, and elements were abroad over Europe which created a war spirit —namely, suspicion, ill-will and mistrust —but he saw no warrant or justification for the war talk now prevalent. Dealing with the question of traffic in armaments, Mr. Thomas said he appreciated the anxiety felt on the subject. Britain, however, was the only country which had a licensing system for the export of armamonts, by means of which effective Government control could be exercised. To his knowledge millions of pounds' worth of orders in the last three years had been refused in consequence of this system. The Government also had refused, and would continue to refuse, credit of any kind for the manufacture of armaments. Mr. Thomas said he wished other nations would follow this example. Ho would welcome an inquiry into the private manufacture and national control of armaments, as he believed it would show results of which there would be no reason to feel ashamed.