BRITISH STABILITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22131, 10 June 1935, Page 9

BRITISH STABILITY

TASK OP PRESERVATION

DIFFICULTIES IN EUROPE HANDS MADE STRONGER FOREIGN OFFICE CHANGES By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received June 9, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON. Jure S Mr. Baldwin delivered his first speech as Prime Minister at a National Government demonstration in Worcestershire. He paid a glowing tribute to Mr. Mac Donald for his courage in carrying on in spite of failing eyesight and insomnia.

He and Mr. Mac Donald had merely exchanged places, said Mr. Baldwin, and their collaboration would continue.

After referring to conditions in other great countries, the new Prime Minister said Britain' enjoyed stability which must be jealously guarded. Referring to the Italo-Abyssinian dispute, he said it was causing anxiety in the remainder of Europe, but there was no current opinion on the subject.. " We are suddenly confronted with these difficulties and possible dangers, which render the more imperative the stability and strength of other Governments," said Mr. Baldwin. " We cannob elect the Governments of other countries, but we can elect our own, which is an additional reason for maintaining the present Government. Even if its majority is reduced it should be sufficiently strong to show the world that the mass of Britons are behind the Government.

It is to strengthen our power of dealing with these events that 1 have made certain changes in the Foreign Office, thus strengthening the Ministerial personnel and rendering Collaboration with the League of Nations and Geneva easier than hitherto.

I hope it is not insular pride, but I feel that Britain, more than any country, is the guardian and trustee for democracy. We must push forward with maintaining the security of our own people, while fighting for a limitation of armaments and to bring Europe, either piecemeal or wholly, into collective security. Those are the ends 1 desire and in that spirit I have accepted from His Majesty the weightiest burden that can be laid on the shoulders of an. Englishman."

The achievements of the National Government in Britain, and some of it:! plans for the future were outlined by Mr. Baldwin in an address specially broadcast on the Daventry short-wave station for Empire reception, shortly after 6 p.m. yesterday, New Zealand time. In Auckland the message was rebroadcast by IYX and although static was occasionally bad and there was a certain amount of fading, most of the address was clearly audible. Mr. Baldwin not only paid a tribute to the work of the retiring Prime Minister, Mr. Mac Donald, but referred to the courage of those other members of the Labour Party who in the crisis of l£i3l, had faced the situation and joined with the Conservative and Liberal parties to " pull England out of the mire." It was just as important to-day that party differences should be forgotten in a united effort for the countrv's good. As a result of the National Government's efforts, said Mr. Baldwin. England was now in a position unique among the great nations of the world. Not onlv had all the 1931 wage reductions befn restored, but taxation bad been reduced. There was strong business confidence and to-day more people were in employment than ever before in the history of the country. Mr. Baldwin referred also to the Government s efforts in the direction of slum clearance and its fostering of sound public utilities. The Government's work for international peace would be continued with even greater vigour, Mr. Baldwin added, and in that connection the appointment of two Ministers to deal with foreign affairs would, without affecting unity of policy, be indicative of the Government's intentions. At the same time national defence would be placed on a sound footing. " International peace, industrial prosperity, arid an improvement in the social Conditions of our fellow-countrymen—these are the ideals which I shall always keep before me," he concluded.

MESSAGE TO NATION

retiring prime minister HEAVY BURDEN OF OFFICE

British "Wireless RUGBY, June 7 Mr. Mac Donald, in a message to the nation, explained that for some time he had been facing the fact that he would have to seek a. respite from the heavy and continuous strain which the critical conditions of the last six years at home and abroad had imposed on him as Prime Minister. Mr. Mac Donald said he had been greatly concerned lest any change in personnel should weaken the Government's national character —a step which would speedily undo the policy which had led the country so far through its difficulties and given it the confidence and prospects which it now enjoyed. A Cabinet united in the practical work of fulfilling the common national task, said Mr. Mac Donald, was still required if national progress was to be maintained, and problems, both domestic and foreign, surmounted. He hoped the confidence and support which the country had given the national combination, of which he had been the head, would be renewed to the same combination under its new Prime ."Minister.