THE WILL TO DISARM

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1929, Page 9

THE WILL TO DISARM

LABOUR LEADER’S PLANS

CO-OPERATION OF AMERICA

BUILDING TO BE DELAYED

BRITISH PREMIER'S REVIEW

British Official Wireless.

v Rugby, July 24.

Mr Ramsay MacDonald, in Parliament to-day, said that he was now in a position to make a statement as to the immediate intentions of the Government regarding the naval building programme. The Government’s general position was that the defence of the country must be devised, he said, with two main considerations in view—firstly, the chances of defences having to be used; then the efficiency and economy shown and their magnitude and character. The Government had kept in view the change in policy and the problem of national security as affected by the Peace Pact if that pact was to be made an effective influence in international relations. To make it so was the controlling purpose of the Government, and a systematic policy was being developed which would take a little time to complete.

To carry out that intention it was well known that in the midst of the multifarious concerns which the formation of a new Government entailed, and especially in view of the pressing and complicated nature of its tasks, conversations had been actively carried on between the United States and the new Government for the purpose of opening the, way for an agreement on naval matters which hitherto had defied settlement.

I By a happy coincidence the new Gov- ! erninent’s assumption of office had cor- ' responded with the arrival of the new American Ambassador, General Dawes, who had come charged with the mission of preparing the ground for international agreements on the reduction of naval armaments. Already the whole field of those difficulties with the United States had been surveyed and the two Governments had made a fresh start in their solution. PRINCIPLE OF PARITY.

“We agree upon the principle of parity,” said Mr. MacDonald. “We agreed without in any way departing from the condition of parity that a measure of elasticity can be allowed so as to meet the peace requirements of the nations. We have arranged that w’e shall not allow technical points to override the great public issues, resulting in our being able to come to a settlement.” He proposed to make this matter his immediate concern as soon as the other business had been disposed of. His visit to the President of the United States was the subject of conversations so that it might take place when it would be most useful to promote oood relations between the two countries and, in particular, advance the cause of disarmament and peace which they held in common. It had to fit in with certain international conversations and October, at present, seemed the most likely month. A committee on the co-ordination of the three services for the purpose of Cabinet consideration had been set up and, if that combination was not comprehensive enough to meet the requirements of such a policy, the Foreign Office also would be represented on it. As regarded the 1929-1930 programme, in any event no commitments would have to be entered into before the autumn and no steps would be taken to proceed w’ith it until the matter had. rcceived further consideration.

The Government recognised that a reduction of the naval building programme must havei a direct effect on unemployment in the dockyards, but he was glad to say that, as the result of special arrangements suggested by the Admiralty, it was hoped to be able to secure the ’absorption of a large amount of labour, that would otherwise be discharged from the Royal dockyards. Representatives of the dockyard labour would at onee be consulted. “We are indebted to the Board of Admiralty for the help they rendered, and I desire to state that, having expressed their technical view on the minimum armament which they consider to be necessary, they furnished us with loyal help in achieving our objects with the least possible dislocation and hardship,” Mr. MacDonald added. PRELIMINARY AGREEMENT. “I ought to say, to make my statement complete, that it was recognised by all the Powers concerned that a preliminary agreement on the Anglo-Ameri-can differences was esseiitial on naval building. The Powers represented at Washington in 1921-1922 have been informed of the conversations and, as soon as the way is clear, they will be invited to a preliminary conference so that we may all together try to come to an agreement of a comprehensive character.

“The final agreement will be ratified at a place which, I hope, will by common consent be chosen by the United States as a recognition of the splendid part played by its President in these discussions. It will then be reported to the preparatory commission of the League of Nations as a contribution to its work.”

The Prime Minister said it would be the Government’s care and desire to put its energy into a settlement without unnecessary delay. Asked if the minimum requirements as stated by the Board of Admiralty were fully met by the reduced pro-m-anime the Government proposed to carry out, Mr. MacDonald said: “I have not the least doubt that in the agreement with the United States the minimum requirements put up to "us will be adequately covered.” Replying to Mr. Lloyd George, Mr. MacDonald assured him that as the conversation with the United States proceeded the effect and general result of them would be given to all the Powers that would ultimately, be concerned. Mr. MacDonald stated that the Ministry had decided to suspend the construction of the two cruisers and cancel the contracts for one depot ship and two submarines, also to slow down dockyard work and other naval construction.

He added that, as soon as an Anglo-

'Ameriean agreement had been reached, other Powers would be invited to a preliminary conference. Mr. MacDonald added that the Singapore base would be included in the special survey of the naval position. SATISFACTION IN AMERICA. MR. MacDONALD IS WELCOME. Washington, July 24. Mr. Hoover announced to-day that the construction of the three cruisers included in the 1929 building programme had been held up until there was an opportunity for the full consideration of their effect upon the final agreement for naval parity, which he expected to be reached between Britain and the United States. He declared that he had read with “real satisfaction” Mr. Ramsay MacDonald’s statement, and stated that the American people were “greatly, complimented” by Mr. MacDonald’s visit, and he would find a universal welcome in the United States. The President added that Mr. MacDonald had introduced the “principle of parity which we have now adopted, and its consummation means that Britain and the United States henceforth are not to compete in armaments as potential opponents, but will co-operate as friends in the reduction of it.” He asserted that the United Statesjoins with the British Premier in his efforts towards disarmament in the same spirit of goodwill as was indicated by the suspension of the construction of certain portions of this year’s British naval nrosrramme.