“NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20640, 1 February 1937, Page 7

“NO CHOICE IN THE MATTER”

BRITAIN FORCED INTO ARMAMENTS NAVAL CHANGES FORCED ON FRANCE British Official Wireless (Received January 31, 6.30 pan.) RUGBY, January 29. Dealing with the international outlook in a speech at Birmingham the Chancellor of the Exchequer Mr Neville Chamberlain) said that now that the tension in regard to Spain had partly relaxed, it should be possible for more attention to be concentrated on a settlement of the European situation. Herr Hitler was about to make an important speech on that, and he (Mr Chamberlain) would not attempt to anticipate what Herr Hitler was going to say, but it was selfevident that as leader and spokesman of one of the most powerful and influential nations in Europe he had it in his power to make an invaluable contribution to the settlement. If Herr Hitler should feel able to do so, hie words would find a warm response in Britain. No Economic Return Mr Chamberlain continued: — “We in Britain are embarking on an by far the largest programme of defence which has ever been undertaken by this country in time of peace. It is involving us in the expenditure of hundreds of pounds upon munitions and weapons which will produce no economic return. We had no choice in the matter. If the problems of ■ Europe were economic alone, and if there were only general confidence that the easing of economic difficulties wo’’’d not bring up a fresh crop of more dangerous political activities and ambitions, our task would be infinitely easier and our readiness to make the necessary sacrifice would be far more apparent than It was to-day. In the face of that grim alternative of the ever rising burden of taxation, Z cannot but believe that the requisite goodwill and determination will be forthcoming to bring up some relief. Mr Chamberlain said that the stream of orders from the service departments would not last for ever. He hoped that they would not, and something would then have to be put In their place. It was therefore necessary, even though industry was so busy with home orders, to maintain connection with overseas customers. This year the prospects for industry were as bright as he had ever known, and he expected many output records to be broken.

FRANCE RECONSIDERS NAVAL SITUATION

INFLUENCED BY GERMAN ACTIONS Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 31, 6.30 p.m.) PARIS, January 29. “Germany’s intensive re-armament, the Italo-German and the Jap-German Ententes, and events in Spain have forced us to reconsider the naval situation,” said the Minister of Marine, M. Gasnier du Parc, in the Chamber of Deputies. “Accordingly we have decided to increase the tonnage of 630,000 tons to 830,000 tons by a three-year plan which will be introduced shortly, including the programme announced on October 30, . and also comprising part of the recommendations made on December 2.”

CAUSE OF ECONOMIC ILLS

STAGGERING EXPENDITURE ON ARMAMENTS United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received January 31, 6.30 p.m.) LONDON, January 30. Computing on the German official figures, that she is spending £1,000,000,000 annually on arming, an article in the February issue of “The Banker” says: “The German economic ills are mostly the result of rearmament, accentuated by extravagance in public expenditure. Drawing attention to the constant stream of propaganda from Germany, “The Banker” points out that it is very clear from the standpoint of the investor that Germany is a bottomless pit. The German political leaders are gambling with the livelihoods, and are prepared to gamble with the lives of their people. Commenting on the colonial claims, "The Banker” argues that as the German colonies are of little economic value, it is hard to resist the conclusion that it is not the former German colonies Germany requires, but the older and more developed possessions of other Powers. Germany could use her lost colonies as bases for the expansion of German influence in the neighbouring territories. Any financial or territorial concessions would encourage the policy of blackmail.