NAVAL ARMAMENTS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16705, 24 July 1928, Page 11

NAVAL ARMAMENTS

MINISTER'S SPEECH QUESTIONS IN THE COMMONS (Elec. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.l (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.,' (Received July 2d, 3 p.m.) LONDON, .July 23. In the House of Commons Commander .). M. Ivenworthy inquired whether Sir William Joynsoit-ilicks' recent speech on the reduction of naval armaments represented (he (ioverninent's policy. Mr. Baldwin : I did no! deled any statement, of policy, but merely ail expression nt' hope that signature of the peace, pact would lead to a further reduction of armaments. Commander Ivenworthy. Arc you aware, that Sir William Joynsoti-Hicks' figures as to the increase of the United States navy are quite inaccurate'' How was it Sir William Joynson-Hicks was not informed of such an important matter'.' Mr. Baldwin: 1 think my answer is fair. The passage to which you refer seems lo be in the form of a rhetorical question. Further questioned, Mr. Baldwin replied : I can only .say had 1 been speak ing on that matter i might have, expressed it sonieuhai dilfereully, lint I hope that when Commander Ivenworthy comes to sit here he wil'i exercise the wisdom, and reticence of' most of my colleagues in must of their speeches. Colonel ,1. C. Wedgwood: The, speech caused a great deal of trouble in America. Is it nol time your colleagues were belter informed on matters of this sort'.' Mr. Baldwin: No. I cannot agree to that. I think a great deal of the trouble comes from the assiduity of both sides by which isolated sentences are taken from ihe context, and immediately tabled across.

Referring at a public meeting on duly 15 to the proposed peace pad, the Homo Secretary, Sir William Joyitson-Hicks, said that in the last few weeks the British Government had given particular care to the proposals, and, when Cabinet had sillied the reply, it would bo found that J'.ritain was not the least bit behind Frame, or Germany in an enthusiastic, acceptance of the idea of outlawing war. It w;is useless signing a pact with the pen unless it was also signed with the heart. Countries could not maintain gigantic armies and navies and pretend that they were not again going to war. Everyone must keep sufficient for international police purposes, but when the world was on the eve of signing a great and important pad to do away with war, the pact could bo nolhing'btit a hollow sham unless the. nations followed the example of Britain and showed a real desire to curtail their armaments.