The Daily News WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1929. AN AMBASSADOR OF CONCORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 October 1929, Page 8

The Daily News WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1929. AN AMBASSADOR OF CONCORD.

The departure of the British Prime Minister (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald) . ■ for the United States, on a mission of monumental importance to the two countries, as well . as to the whole ...of the civilised world, is an event of historical importance. He left the Old Country bearing with him the most sincere and hearty good wishes of the whole nation. All political parties joined in expressions of hope for a successful outcome of his efforts to arrange a full agreement that will ensure an acceptable settlement of naval disarmament policy at the forthcoming conference of Naval Powers. It is not too much to anticipate that concord with America on this and other matters tending to world peace will mark a new era in history. The special nature of Mr. MacDonald’s visit to the President of the United States was recognised by King George, who aptly referred to it as “a contribution to those happy relations between two great peoples which must be an article of faith among all men of goodwill.” The view that the Prime Minister takes of the task before him is such as to inspire him to his best efforts that will rank with the greatest of the Old Country’s traditions. He said: “I go on a voyage of exploration. The greatest contribution which the generation can make to the history of the world is to establish peace among the nations and to induce them to feel a sense of security . .. Good and cordial relationsbetween us, too", can change the outlook for peace, and give the world an energetic faith, instead of hesitating scepticism . . . "Who dares to say that success is impossible?” To prepare the ground for the five Power Conference by means of a preliminary concordat with the United States should augur well

for the outcome of the deliberations next year of the Preparatory Disarmament Commission of the League of Nations as a prelude to a general disarmament conference of all nations. Those who can envisage and appreciate the true bearings of the naval armament reduction problem are quite convinced that it can only be satisfactorily solved by the complete co-operation of the two great English-speaking nations, besides ■which, as the New York Herald rightly admits, the moment is, indeed, auspicious; therefore the statesmen of both Powers should strain every nerve to take full advantage thereof. Whatever may be said to the contrary, there is undoubtedly a community of interest between the two countries concerning naval strength and policy- On such an occasion as that which acts as the mainspring of Mr. MacDonald’s mission to America, it was quite in accord with Britain’s high political ideals that there was a complete elimination of party spirit, and that just a-j the Prince of Wales, when visiting the Dominions, became an Ambassador of Empire, so may Mr. MacDonald now be regarded as an Ambassador of Concord. Embassies of this nature cannot fail to make their mark on the forward march of events. While feeling optimistic as to the result of the British Premier’s visit to President Hoover, it must not be forgotten that the United States Senate has a decisive voice in matters of this nature, and experience has proved there are Senators of influence who take strong views relative to international matters. It is io be hoped that no serious objections to united action on naval disarmament will be raised, for unless America and Britain can show a united front at the Preparatory Disarmament Commission there will be but a grain of hope foi’ success. There is also a strong coterie in the United States in favour of an American navy more powerful than that of any other Naval Power, but the strength of that coterie has been considerably lessened by recent events. It is quite possible Mr. MacDonald might be more convincing in his advocacy of co-operative effort if he were to give evidence of his intention to work for and, if possible, to achieve, industrial peace so that the two great needs of the age could go hand in hand. Reduction of armaments is not a sentimental movement, but above all an economic one, for the millions now spent on the implements of warfare would be diverted to the arena of industry, thereby promoting employment as well as. industrial peace and prosperity. There are few, if any, who can have a reasonable conception of the effect of an appreciable reduction in armaments. The people of New Zealand’ may well join in the chorus of approbation with which Mr. MacDonald has been cheered on his departure across the Atlantic- It is a mission that has for its object the common welfare of humanity, and therefore its success will be keenly desired.