Hoover’s Message

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 837, 4 December 1929, Page 9

Hoover’s Message

HOPES OF DISARMAMENT Present Defence Too Costly PROHIBITION AND TARIFF DISCUSSED L nited P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright Kocejved 0 a.m. WASHINGTON, Tuesday, pRESIDENT HOOVER, in liis annual address to Congress, * said the foundations for future peace were being substantially strengthened through the Kellogg-Briand Pact.

Referring to the Permanent Court of International Justice, he said: “I believe it will be clear to everyone that no controversy or question in which this country has or claims an interest can be adjudicated by the World Court without our consent at the time this question arises. “Our adherence to the International Court is, as it is now constituted, not the slightest step toward our entry into the League of Nations. I shall direct that our signature be affixed to the protocol of adherence. “We have joined the conference for the further limitation and reduction of naval arms. We hold high hopes that success may attend this effort. Upon this coneference will depend such moderation as this country may make in naval expenditure. “I recommend Congress to give earnest consideration to the possibilities of prudent action which may give relief from our continuously mounting military expenditure. The country can well be deeply concerned at the growing expense of national defence. While its forces are comparatively small, the expenditures are in excess of that of most of the highly militarised nations: “We have undertaken never to use war as an instrument of national policy. We have therefore undertaken to use these equipments solely for defensive purposs. “From the defence point of view out forces should be proportioned to this national need, and should therefore to some extent be modified by the prospects of peace, which were never brighter than they are today.” “If we shall be compelled to undertake the construction implied in the Washington Treaty, as well as other construction which would appear to be

. necessary if an international agree- j meat is not completed, we shall be | I committed to an expenditure approxi- [ mating £240,000.000, besides the necessary further increase in the costs I of annual upkeep.” TARIFF CHANGES Commentiug ou the national Budget the president said: “The total appropriations recommended for the fiscal year 1931 are £766,089,046, compared with £795,228,330 for the present fiscal year.” Discussing tariff, lie asked for an “effective tariff on agricultural products,” and “some limited changes” in the industrial schedules. He reiterated that he desired the broad principle of the flexible provision of the pending Tariff Bill to be retained. President Hoover’ s views in this connection recently were disregarded by the Senate. NATION PROSPEROUS The President commented on the large degree of prosperity that the country was enjoying, and ou the wave ; of uncontrolled speculation, which resulted in the diversion of capital from business to the stock market, with the inevitable crash. President Hoover pointed out that the capital hitherto absorbed by spe eulation was now returning to normal channels, and through the measures already undertaken they had re- j established confidence. Wages should ’ remain stable.

The President advocated important administrative changes, to assure the better enforcement of the lStli (liquor prohibition) amendment to the Constitution. The present enforcement was far from satisfactory. He indicated that an attempt would also be made to control more effectively organised crime.