POSSIBLE CONFLICT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22200, 29 August 1935, Page 11

POSSIBLE CONFLICT

ME, FOBBES' STATEMENT INTEREST IN AUSTRALIA LEADERS' COMMENT WITHHELD [from our own correspondent] SYDNEY, Aug. 23 The statement of the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Mr. Forbes, in Wellington, that if Britain went to war New Zealand would automatically become involved, has been given considerable prominence here, and has created much interest. The statement has occasionally been made in accidemic and constitutional discussions, but no statesman or public leader has declared the fact so definitely as Mr. Forbes. The question is now being asked: " Where will Australia stand in the event of war, if Britain becomes involved in war as a result of dcv elopments in the Ttalo-Abyssinian dispute?" Parliament would first have to bo called together to come to an official decision. Tliat is a fact, but politicians have declined to make any definite statement on the subject. The Prime Minister, Mr. Lyons, when questioned, refused to discuss the possible attitude of Australia in the event of war. Sir Littleton Groom, M.P., president of tho Australian branch of the League of Nations Union, said; 11 I have been studying the position closely, hut feel that it is too early for any public Comment." Attitude of Underwriters The refusal of British underwriters to take further insurance against war risks will be followed in Australia. Additional premiums will bo demanded on the insurance of ships and cargo travelling between Australia and Europe, through the probable war zone. Fully 90 per cent of the oversea vessels coming here will be affected. The managing-director of one of the leading Australian-Controlled underwriting companies says that the extent of the increase in premiums has not been announced by the Marino Underwriters' Association, but, as the risk of war existed, that risk will have to he provided against almost immediately. While shipping is insured under yearly contracts, he says, there is provision for the underwriters to give notice of intention to declare war risks. Italy's Case for Expansion The Bishop of Goulburn, Dr. Burgmann, probably the most outspoken of Anglican clerics in Australia, says: " Mussolini is asserting the principle of power politics in a most blatant manner. While these aCts arouse our resistance, we must not fail to remember that Italy has a case for expansion. She needs access to raw materials for her expanding industries. She needs markets and room for migration. It is the League's task and duty to help Italy attain these objectives by peaceful means. " But Mussolini is showing no regard for tho League. He is not giving it a | chance. His challenge is a matter of I life or death for the League. Law must ! have adequate force behind it to en- | force it. If the League can show a ! united front, it can administer the I law in this tfase. Italy cannot stand j against the rest of the League and hope j to win. The question is: Can the world I p0 forward to the reign of international j law, or must it go into dissolution by ; the law of the jungle? " "TRUCE OF GOD" MR. LANSBURY'S proposal CONSIDERATION BY PRIMATE (Received August 28, 7.15 p.m.) Times Cable LONDON, Aug. 28 The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Cosmo Gordon Lang, in a letter to the Times refers to Mr. George Lansbury's proposal for a " truce of God." He says he is considering how far it may be achieved. In the meantime he advises Christians to bear witness to the spiritual power which alone can establish peaCe and share in establishing international justice and order.

CALL FOR PRAYER LEADERS OF THE CHURCH FATEFUL GENEVA MEETING British Wireless RUGBY, Aug. 27 The Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the Federation of Evangelical Free Churches have issued a joint call for prayer in connection with the Italo-Abyssinian dispute. They refer to the fateful meeting of the League Council on September 4. They state that the grave issues with which it has to deal concern not only the possibility of war between Italy and Abyssinia, with all the consequences which may follow from it, but also the continuance of the League itself as an effective instrument of international peace and order, and the alternative to international anarchy. The church leaders ask that next Sunday prayers may be offered in all churches throughout the country that the " spirit of God may give wisdom and courage to members of the Council so that by their action, even now, war may be averted, and in any event the cause of justice and respect for treaties may be vindicated."

FRENCH ATTITUDE CABINET TO DECIDE A MEETING CALLED PARIS, Aug. 27 An important meeting of the French Cabinet has been called for to-morrow to decide upon France's attitude regarding Abyssinia at the meeting of the J/Oague Council on September 4. NEUTRALITY BILL MR. ROOSEVELT SIGNS (Received August 28, 6.25 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 27 President Roosevelt to-day signed the Neutrality Bill. Until February 29, this places a mandatory embargo on exports to belligerents, provides that munition-makers shall be licensed, authorises the President to keep Americans off the ships of belligerent nations except at their own risk and provides for othor preventatives.