DOMINIONS AND DEFENCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23734, 15 February 1939, Page 18

DOMINIONS AND DEFENCE

SIR MAURICE HANKEY’S VIEW « For my part I am an optimist, as to the part the dominions would play in Empire defence if war broke out.' said Sir Maurice Hankey in a broadcast talk. “My optimism is due to the fact that for 30 years I have been privileged to witness from inside the working of the machinery of consultation at many inspiring gatherings of Empire statesmen. I have visited all the four overseas dominions, and know something of their problems and difficulties. I also know something of British Governments, and as the result of all this I find it difficult to conceive circumstances in which Britain is likely to become involved in a major war on an issue in which popular sentiment in the dominions is not overwhelmingly sympathetic to the British cause. “ I will not be so foolish as to prophesy at what point any particular nation of the Commonwealth would decide that its vital interests were engaged; in what circumstances it would intervene actively or at what moment; in what theatre of war, or by what methods: but this much, speaking of course entirely on my own responsibility, I will say: If I were the Chief of the General Staff of a country likely to become involved in war with the United Kingdom, I would warn my Government—‘ Beware of underrating the dominions.’”