DOMINION’S WAR POLICY

Taranaki Daily News, 2 May 1935, Page 7

DOMINION’S WAR POLICY

“NO NEED FOR DISCUSSION” CRITICISM OF PRIME MINISTER. RETURNED SOLDIERS’ PROTEST. PROMISING LIVES OF YOUNG MEN. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, May 1. The Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association, at the annual meeting, unanimously carried a resolution protesting against the statement atributed to the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes, regarding New Zealand’s attitude in a future war. “The Prime Minister,” said the mover, “is promising the lives of the sons and young brothers of those, who, when they died in that last man-made hell, thought that they were dying to save the next generation from the same horror. A politician is a man who is always ready to sacrifice your life or mine for the sake of his country.”

Mr. Forbes, at Ottawa, said he saw no necessity for discussion of Empire defence or of foreign policy of the United Kingdom. New Zealand was kept informed of the progress of the negotiations with Germany and the other European nations. When Britain was at war no discussion took place in New Zealand as to participation, or participation in a future war involving the Empire, which was the greatest agency for peace in the world. New Zealanders were confident that Britain would always be on the side of peace and would make no commitments that were not absolutely necessary. “We do not have to discuss those things,” Mr. Forbes added. If another war-broke out he expected that New Zealand would act as promptly as in 1914, and there would be no necessity for calling Parliament to decide what should be done.