COLLECTIVE SECURITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22596, 8 December 1936, Page 10

COLLECTIVE SECURITY

NATIONAL DEFENCE IMPLIED MAINTENANCE OF DEMOCRACY [by telegraph—press association] WELLINGTON, Monday "There has been a lot of nonsense talked about the value of collective security in defence," said Mr. Kenneth Lindsay, M.P., Civil Lord of tho Admiralty, when replying to the welcome accorded him at a Government luncheon in Parliament House to-day. "If you talk about collective security ns a national aspiration," ho added, "it is logical to ask what is going to bo done about national defence. That, I think, is n problem which immediately presents itself to tho self-governing Dominions. That is what collective security really means. May 1 leave it at that? I do not think it is necessarv to dot the i's and cross the t's."

•Referring to the position in Europe to-day, Air. Lindsay empliasisod tlio need of maintaining the system of free democracy and freedom of election. That system alone dignified the men who were elected and the nation that elected thcni. Mr. Lindsay said ho found in Germany that leadership was tho predominant principle and free election was decried as being weak. Tho movement in Europe to-day was primarily anti-politician. Tho political system was being lampooned. This was going on also in Englnnd and in Australia. Personally ho stood strictly by the democratic system, which implied the will to defend itself. It also implied strength at the centre, maintenance of the rights of citizenship, freedom of thought, freedom of contract, and, within reasonable limits, freedom in the exchange of goods. Those were the only safeguards for wages and a decent standard of living. "Dictatorship docs not go hand in hand with a high standard of living," Mr. Lindsay added. "That is why I am visiting New Zealand to see this sturdy democratic plan. Meanwhile i am proud to bo a humble Minister in one of tho greatest agencies for peace, tlio JLloyal Navy,"