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Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19886, 14 March 1939, Page 6

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BRITISH FOREIGN POLICY ONLY POSSIBLE COURSE VIEW OF LORD HALIFAX DENIAL OF INTERVENTION (Elee, Tel. Copyright — United Pics.-; Assn.) (British Official Wireless.) Seed. 1.30 p.m. RUGBY, March 13. The Foreign Secretary. Viscount Halifax. .Vi a speech at Sunderland, expressed the considered opinion that there was no .occasion during the past tew years when the British policy y/>. i major international issue could have followed a different line from the one it had followed without grave risk leading to a major European war. He spoke strongly of the suggestion that Britain's action regarding Minorca constituted intervention in die'Spanish civil war. It was nothing of the sort, he said. The invitation to facilitate discusdon between the opposing sides was a tribute to British impartiality and Britain acted as it did to save human life. Lord Halifax added that recognition of General Franco's Government did not mean approval of the form of government (recognised. General franco's Government commanded the illcgiance of the great majority of th? .nhabitants of Spain and thus was the authority with which other Governments must have official contacts. Britain, while working steadfastly for peace, would continue to take vvhatever steps were necessary to give the country strength and selfconfidence as the circumstances demanded. Lord Halifax said it was not surprising that many nerves were taut ind overstrained. "Events occurring in some parts of Europe are represented as a crisis, regardless of whether they concern us 3r not," he said. "The air is constantly filled also with sensational rumours of what is to happen ind some take little trouble to distinguish between fact and. fiction. Maybe it suits some people to propagate rumours and spread distorted views. "This means that a heavy responsibility is laid on the press, perhaps heavier here than in other countries, nving to our freedom. I appeal both o those who write and those who •ead the newspapers to weigh eare'ully all reports of alleged intentions if foreign Governments. "The distorted or sensational presentation of foreign news not only is tangerous in itself, but tends to defeat he purposes we all have at heart." He added as regards the decline in shipbuilding that the Government was considering th? question of a reserve tonnage in the event of an emergency.