BRITISH PRESTIGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23013, 16 October 1936, Page 9

BRITISH PRESTIGE

THE LEGACY OF TRADITION TOLERANCE AND FREEDOM LOYALTY TO UNDERTAKINGS (British Official Wireless) (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) RUGBY, October 14. In a speech at the Cutlers' Feast at Sheffield, Mr. Anthony Eden said there existed among the British people a very general and widespread feeling of distaste for those extreme political doctrines which were being preached and fostered in different forms in different countries. There was no wish to quarrel with others who preferred to adopt different systems of government. That was their own affair, but in the midst of the turmoil of present-day Europe the British might be excused for observing with some pride that the machinery of constitutional governm it continued to work smoothly, and that freedom of person and thought was respected and preserved. Mr Eden added: "In a world in which national prestige is worshipped as the golden calf, I trust we should take as the standard of our own prestige as a nation our ability to combine tolerance and personal freedom with a strong and effective Government." British people would show as great a readiness to serve the State when the State existed for the people as when the people existed for the State, and would «cert every effort of mind and body to preserve the legacy of tradition and opportunity which had come down to them, and strive with perseverance and imagination for its wider and fuller development. Close attachment to their own institutions did not imply any attitude of detachment from affairs in Europe. Even if that were desirable it was not possible. Mr Eden then turned to the Spanish crisis, and after describing the origins of the non-intervention agreement and the reasons why the British Government so strongly supported the French Government's initiative, referred to the criticisms which were being directed against the agreement, and said it was even being suggested that the time had come to give up this effort. His Majesty's Government did not share that view. The impatience revealed in some quarters at the slowness of the International Committee's method and work had not been balanced by the production of any practical alternative proposals for dealing with the situation. "Let there be no doubt as to the view of the Government of this country upon the policy of non-interven-tion," he said. " His Majesty's Government supports non-intervention. That view is strongly held, and has never wavered. We are, for our part, determined to carry out loyally our own undertaking and promote in every way possible execution of the terms of the agreement." „

Speaking on the. realignment of currencies, Mr Eden said any impartial observer of the present international scene must be profoundly impressed by the potential significance of the increase in world trade upon the political problems that beset them. It was precisely because the British Government was convinced that in the long run the Anglo-French-American declaration would be calculated to lead to an increase in world trade that it had joined in it. He paid a tribute to the preparatory work in the economic and financial organisation of the League of Nations. THE ARMAMENTS QUESTION (Brltloh Official Wireless) RUGBY, Oct. 14. (Received Oct. 15, at 5.5 p.m.) Dealing with the question of armaments, Mr Eden said: "We are engaged in fulfilling a very considerable programme for re-equip-ment of the navy, the army and the Air Force. We should have preferred an arms agreement, but in the world as it is , to-day the strengthening of our own defences becomes not only a desirable objective, but an imperative national duty. This strengthening of our defences will not be used to accompany our diplomatic proposals with threats; its usefulness will lie in this, that Europe may be convinced that we are strong enough to play our part to keep the peace, and that violent courses can be met with firm resistance." The main objectives of Britain's foreign policy were thp elimination of war and the promotion of international understanding Nothing was more certain than that in any future war in Europe there would be ho victor. It was for the nations to decide the path leading to international co-operation, and peace could only be found by the exercise of toleration and restraint. Nations had preoccupations enough; let them beware of adding to them the bitterness of a conflict of creeds. No conflicts brought greater suffering in Europe in the past centuries, and there were no more tragic pages in all its history than those that recorded them. . Mr Eden declared: "I believe the time will come, and it may not be far distant, when this nation, strong of arm and strong of purpose, will be able to turn the scales on the side of peace and freedom."