WORLD’S PEACE

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1934, Page 5

WORLD’S PEACE

POLICY OF BRITAIN PRIME MINISTER SPEAKS REPUTATION OF EMPIRE IMPORTANT NAVAL TALKS DEFENCE FROM ATTACKS By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright Rec. 5.5 p.m. London, Nov., 9. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, speaking at the Lord Mayor’s banquet, emphasised that the Government’s policy was to preserve world peace. He declared that, if an international arms agreement was refused, defence requirements must be met by means of putting Bitain s non-ag-gression beyond question. . _ ; “The Government cherishes Britain s reputation of being the most dependable and most consistent peacemaker,” he said. “These services will be continued as long as my Government lasts because we are convinced that a commonsense peace policy is practicable. The League of Nations imposes responsibilities on Britain which will be fulfilled. Otherwise the risk of war is greatly increased but the Government k determined not to increase its obligations quixotically, and certainly not without Parlamentary sanction. , - “Some pacifists blame us for not taking steps which would quickly dot the country with munition factories. They would make the league an armed camp and bring us swiftly into conflict with other nations. Foreign policy will not be thus conducted.” Referring to the naval conversations, Mr. MacDonald said England, America and Japan each desired an agreement not jeopardising any of the others' safety and not depriving one another of necessary defence. The agreement of all naval powers to eliminate useless and extravagant building while ensuring security would be the most conspicuous step towards peace. e . Meanwhile if met by aggression Britain should at least be able to defend , herself. Britain purposely risked showing the world' an example of disarmament though other powers’ equipment would have justified Britain’s expansion. The Government recently investigated the resources of home and imperial defence. “Experience has proved,” he said, ‘‘that in the world’s present state disarmament for an example is an ineffective way of strengthening peace. It might in some circumstances tempt an aggressor to attack. I believe the country trusts us. to do what is necessary without embarking in an arms race.”