The Rangitikei Advocate. TWO EDITIONS DAILY. THURSDAY, MAY 27, 1920 OUR DEFENCES.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 12063, 27 May 1920, Page 4

The Rangitikei Advocate. TWO EDITIONS DAILY. THURSDAY, MAY 27, 1920 OUR DEFENCES.

TERE is little doubt that the declaration of MinisteriaTpolicy at the opening of our Parliament ■will include the proposal to strengthen our defences against possible enemies. In this connection some remarks made by Mr Massey at a gathering at Wellington last week are of interest, He said:—“We cannot allow this country to go without defence. Defence expenditure is one of the calls that we have got to face. Some people say that we should close down on defence expenditure and trust to the League of Nations. They say that there is not going to be another war for 30 or 40 years. A year or 18 months ago I thought that we might be able to depend upon the League of Nations. I think it would be a splendid thing if the nations could join together to put an end to war, but Ido not like the look of things to-day. We see to-day two of the most powerful nations in the world, one a member of the league and the other outside the league, building the largest and most powerful warships the world has over seen. They are not building those ships for holiday purposes. I do not want to suggest what those ships are being built for. I don’t think they are being built to turn against the ships of ogr Empire. I hope not, and beliepf%dfc, but they are being built. You "read in the cablegrams the other day that the great Krupp works in Germany are employing even larger numbers of men now than they employed before the war. What are they doing it for ? There again I must appeal to your imagination. Much as we all dislike war, and nobody on earth hates war more than I do myself, we must face the fact that war has not come to an end, and that if our Empire is to continue and if we are to retain the freedom we enjoy we must be prepared to defend ourselves,” It did not need the visit of Lord Jellicoenor his appointment as Governor to convince us of the necessity for this, though no doubt these prompted the utterance of Mr Massey to prepare the wav for the Ministerial proposals. It is truly extraordinary that in this era of civilisation there should he found nations making deliberate preparations for attack and slaughter, and that one of these should be among the oldest of civilisations and the other the youngest. We share Mr Massey’s disbelief in the utility of the League of Nations—that sentimental product of the cracked brain o an American visionary—and are of pinion that thoiough preparation for defence of our shores and for aiding the Empire in a gigantic struggle, has become more necessary than ever. Since this country was settled a new Great Fower has de veiopod. It is alien to ns in race and creed, is still permeated with barbaric ideas, and it is feverishly desirous of extending its territory to accommodate its teeming and ever increasing millions. The white races have also insulted and treated it with contempt and it cannot be surprising if it develops a feeling of revenge. Hence the necessity for our being prepared.