GERMAN ARMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22457, 29 June 1936, Page 9

GERMAN ARMS

EXPERTS' FIGURES 4, EX-MINISTER'S CHARGE m. BALDWIN NOTIFIED POLITICAL SENSATION COMMENT AEOUSED

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received Juno 28, 0.35 p.m.) LONDON. Juno 27 The Marquess of Londonderry, speaking at a meeting of the County Down Conservative Association, caused astonishment by declaring that it was surprising that the Prime Minister, Mr. Baldwin, had announced in the House of Commons in 1935 (when Lord Londonderry was Secretary of State for Air) that he had been misled regarding Germany's armaments.

Lord Londonderry added: "Mr. Baldwin was not misled. I continually informed him both of Germany's aerial rearmament and the approximate rate of it. I had no reason to revise the approximate figures with which thoso responsible had supplied mo in order to place my colleagues in possession of the facts." Continuing, Lord Londonderry, who recently visited Germany, said: "Germans are equally as desirous for peace as Britons. We should not receive Herr Hitler's offers, in a narrow, pedantic spirit. The peace of the world fiepends primarily upon an understanding between France, Germany and Britain."

The Daily Mail says Lord Londonderry's rebuke of Mr. Baldwin has astounded Conservative members of the House of Commons. Liberals and Labour members predict trouble owing to Lord Londonderry possessing considerable influence.

Sir Stafford Cripps at a peace meeting last overling said: "Mr. Baldwin must have been telling an untruth. I do not see how he can survive tho disclosure." A statement has been issued by Lord Londonderry in which he says he had no intention of attacking Mr. Baldwin, personally or otherwise. He merely desired to point out that the figures which he and/ his experts had supplied to Mr. Baldwin were approximately correct.

The Daily Herald says if it comes to a final "showdown" Mr. Baldwin will produce confidential memoranda entirely upholding his' Case.