The Timaru Herald WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1938 THE WAY TO INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21051, 1 June 1938, Page 8

The Timaru Herald WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 1938 THE WAY TO INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING

Sir John Simon's challenging statement in defence of the Imperial Government’s foreign policy will be read with great avidity in all parts of the Commonwealth of British Nations. The claim that Mr Chamberlain’s negotiations with Italy, which resulted in an agreement, saved Europe from coming under the blistering flames of war. cannot be disputed by anyone because no one knows how near or how far the world was from an outbreak of war of the first magnitude. Sir John Simon claims, nevertheless, that the Anglo-Italian agreement represents a substantial contribution towards world peace. “The real way to peace,” the Chancellor of the Exchequer insists, “is to be found by seeking out the cause of quarrels and misunderstandings, and trying to remove them.” This is the course, Sir John suggests, Mr Chamberlain has been taking. It is nevertheless plain that, the nations in Europe and indeed, the leading nations of the world, seem to be long leagues away from that perfect understanding upon which durable peace can be established. Take for instance, the growing expenditure on armaments, particularly by Britain and Germany in whoso hands reposes the future of Europe. During the last few years Mr Winston Churchill has devoted much of his attention to Germany’s military expenditure, and once again in the House of Commons he has detailed what he considers to be the latest information. Mr Churchill said: “About £280,000,000 has been spent on defence services in Britain in the last financial year, and we are now asking for £350,000,000 in 1938. These figures are rightly judged enormous, but they acquire their significance only in relation to what is being spent elsewhere. £350,000,000 for 1938 compares with at least £900,000,000 in Germany, and it must be remembered that for the last three years in succession German defence expenditure has been running at about that level.” After giving figures for army and navy expenditure. Mr Churchill deduced that £240,000,000 is available for the air force and continues: “Our comparable British figures are somewhat over £100,000,000. It would therefore not surprise me at all,” added Mr Churchill, “if Germany were going to spend in 1938 more than twice as much upon her air force as Britain, and it must be remembered that this expenditure follows upon several years of even much larger preponderance of German expenditure upon the air compared with British air expenditure.” It is pertinent then to ask how far the nations of Europe in particular have advanced in the direction of those understandings which are designed to promote peace. The enormous expenditure on rearmament particularly by nations that persist in declaring that they have nothing but peace in their hearts would seem to suggest that the human family with its deep-seated suspicion, mistrust and intense nationalism, has not made a very rapid advance in I he direclion of the goal towards which all peace loving citizens look. AUSTRALIA’S PLAN FOR SOCIAL SECURITY. Not only because the Australian Government's National Health and Insurance Bill is likely to cut deeply into groups of special interests, but because of the widespread demands being made for concessions and exemptions, the Federal Government of Australia is finding its way towards the implementation of this plank of policy strewn with thorns. It is interesting to observe that optional payments for women contributors to the national insurance pensions fund are likely to be provided in the Bill which is now before the House of Representatives. If Parliament accepts the proposal, women who so desire, may pay 1/6 a week, as men will be obliged to do; and they will receive an old-age pension of £l, instead of 15/a week. It is believed that the Ministry approves this concession being introduced: The Bill, in short, as introduced by the Federal Treasurer, Mr Casey, stipulated that women contributors should pay 1/- weekly, while their employers would make a similar payment. It is provided that these contributors would receive a pension of 15/a week upon attaining the age of 60 years. The contribution for men contributors was fixed at 1/6 a week, and it is provided that they would receive an old-age pension of £1 a week at 65 years. An objection was made by women’s organisations at the differential treatment, and it was contended that women should be permitted to receive an old-age pension of £1 a week, as was provided for men. To overcome the objection, the optional rate for women was suggested, and it is believed that this amendment has been found to be practicable, although it will add slightly to the financial burden of the Commonwealth. But even if the Government succeeds in ironing out these comparatively minor difficulties, it will still face the definite opposition of the medical profession, to say nothing of the protests of the friendly societies; indeed, the other day the directors of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows of Australia issued a statement protesting strongly against the present form of the Bill. The statement read : “That the directors vigorously protest on behalf of the 65,000 members of the society In New South Wales, against the introduction of the Bill in its present form, and request reconsideration of those features that will undoubtedly be injurious to the members of this and other friendly societies and their dependents. “That the M.U.1.0.0.F. has agreed to assist with the introduction and administration of national health Insurance, provided that the interests of friendly society members were protected, and were assured that this would be done. Information about the Bill (which so vitally concerns friendly society members) was not available until after its introduction in the House of Representatives and we find at this late hour that many of the clauses included in the Bill may do untold damage to friendly societies.” The Australian measure differs substantially from the New Zealand plan to provide superannuation and free health services. Moreover, individual contributions are levied on a very different basis. The measure represents the “good intentions” of the Australian Government to assist all who find themselves in the even!ide of life without adequate financial resources, but it is plain, as it is in New Zealand, that when it conies to translating ideals into practice, some modification of the full objective is essential if any measure of success is to be achieved. CONDEMNED BY THE VOICE OF HUMANITY. It is interesting to recall in face of the world wide protest against areial bombing now being voiced the Japanese expressions of indignation because the British Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs alleged that the Japanese military authorities had shot a number of prisoners in Amoy. Il is doubtful if any protest will follow the question in the House of Commons as the steps to be taken to give effect to the unanimous resolution by the Imperial Parliament declaring that the growing horror at the aerial bombardment of defenceless civilians should be expressed in an international agreement.