WORLD CRISIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22398, 20 April 1936, Page 9

WORLD CRISIS

BRITAIN'S NEED IMPROVED DEFENCES MENACE OF NEW WAR PREMIER'S WARNING By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received April ID. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. April 18 In reviewing the international situation in an address to Conservatives at Worcester, the Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, said: " The combination of Germany's rearmament and the attempt to enforce the Covenant of the League against Italy have convinced me that an improvement in Britain's defences is absolutely necessary to enable Britain to play her part in the League and to maintain her position in the world. " There does not seem to be effective machinery yet for stopping war before it begins if one party is determined upon it and will not submit the dispute to discussion or to arbitration. " Sanctions are slow and lose a great deal of their force unless supported by the ultimate sanction —a blockade, or force. It is difficult to see how, with the existing membership of the League, a blockade could be agreed upon. Horrors of Gas Warfare " The absence of Germany, Japan and the United States from the League is an important factor." Referring to Italian attacks on the British Foreign Secretary, Mr. Eden, Mr. Baldwin emphasised that Mr. Eden was voicing not his own but the considered policy of the Government and people of Britain, which was not antiItalian but was aimed at supporting the League Covenant, which England wanted to become the law of the world.

" There can be no limited liability about another war," said Mr. Baldwin. " If that horror ever breaks upon the world again every man, woman and child will be involved. If the allegations that Italy is using poison gas in Abyssinia are true, what guarantee is there that it will not be used in Europe. Hitler's Power to Lilt Black Shadow " If nations break their word and use gas the peoples of every country will be torn vrith passion, suffering and horror which would destroy every Government and result in anarchy from end to end in Europe as a protest against wickedness in high places.

" I have said many hard things about dictators. I believe that in the long run dictatorship will bring more perils than it removes. " Herr Hitler is able to do more than any other living man to lift the black shadow which is hanging over Europe. God grant that he may have the will to do so. Nothing this country can do will be left undone to help him. The next few months will be vital." KEY INDUSTRIES IMPORTANCE TO DEFENCE FURTHER PROTECTION URGED (Received April 19, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON. April 18 A committee appointed by the Board of Trade to consider the position of safeguarded industries recommends, in the interests of national defence, that the duties protecting Britain's key industries should be extended for a further 10 years at not less than the present rates. The products of the key industries include optical glass, scientific instruments, wireless valves, Tungsten, potassium compounds, arc lamp carbons, ignition magnetos and magnets.

The committee states that its review necessarily is directed primarily to the needs of Imperial defence, and to research and development, especially of the important industries upon which the country's defence depends. "We are satisfied, with minor exceptions, with the research which is being continuously undertaken at heavy cost," says the committee. "We recommend closer co-ordination of research among firms receiving defence orders."