PEACE IN EUROPE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22603, 16 December 1936, Page 15

PEACE IN EUROPE

INFLUENCE OF BRITAIN COLLECTIVE SECURITY The opinion that the only real security for Britain and the Empire lay in all-round disarmament to a reasonable level was expressed by Mr. H. E. Hyde, a London journalist associated with the League of Nations in Geneva, when speaking of the international situation to members of the Auckland Travel Club at their monthly luncheon meeting yesterday. The value of a system of collective security as a means toward pence, and the importance of New Zealand's position as a member of the council of the League of Nations, were emphasised by Mr. Hyde, who said that, if the New Zealand Government put forward proposals at Geneva for general disarmament and a European collective security system they would be welcomed bv the masses of tho more apprehensive countries as the best way of averting the terrible tragedy which was rapidly creeping on Europe. Referring to the work of the League of Nations, Mr. Hydo said it had been judged by its failures, while its successes had been practically ignored. He mentioned several cases in which the League had been successful in preventing wars between nations, including the Italian occupation of tho Greek island of Corfu in l!)2.'i and the dispute between Bulgaria and Greece in 1925. Afore than 50 disputes had been referred to the League for arbitration and had been settled. "That is a record of work well and truly done, and it indicates what the League can do if properly supported," said Mr. Hyde. The need for Britain to participate in a European collective, security system was stressed by Mr. Hyde, who said the best hope for the future was to persuade European nations to disarm to tho same level. This could be done provided Britain was prepared to participate in a European collective security system, for there was so much hatred and suspicion among the different countries that there was no prospect of the Continental Powers agreeing to disarm unless Europe was made safe for disarmament. " Until wo have offered to participate in a collective security system we cannot truly say that we have done everything possible to bring about disarmament in Europe," said Air. Hyde.