SEEKING BASIS FOR PEACE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21216, 10 December 1938, Page 17

SEEKING BASIS FOR PEACE

“GLEAM OF HOPE” IN EUROPE Mr Chamberlain s Policy Approved Time for Gesture From “Others” British Official Wireless (Received December 9. 6.30 pm.) RUGBY. December 8. The South African Minister of Defence (the Hon. O. Pirow) and Mrs Pirow lunched with the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace Impressions of Europe The following statement was issued on behalf of Mr Pirow from South Africa House to-night: “On the eve of my departure for South Africa, I want to thank the British Government for the generous way it has assisted us in our defence requirements. This sympathetic attitude is all the more appreciated because we realise how deeply Britain is concerned with her own rearmament programme. In spite of the correction administered to my views by a section of the press—which apparently does not appreciate the value of an international settlement of the refugee question, as a hopeful approach to European appeasement— I leave Europe with a feeling’ of almost unqualified anxiety. One gleam of hope, to my mind, is the fact that Mr Chamberlain will spare no effort to secure a lasting basis for peace. His phenomenal success at Munich encourages one to believe that he may also save the present situation. At the same time, it must be accepted that he has made all the advances which can reasonably be expected, and a gesture should now come from one or more of .lie other parties to the Munich Agreement. In any case, his efforts in the direction of an international understanding will nowhere be watched with more appreciation and sympathy than in South Africa.” ATTITUDE OF PRESS LESSONS FROM ENGLISH EXAMPLE United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright THE HAGUE. December 8. Following Germany’s representation in reference to the anti-German comments in the Dutch Press, the Prime Minister (Dr Colyn) has advised the Press to take an example from the dignified British attitude. He said that in discussing the German methods against the Jews it was not necessary to attack a neighbouring Government with which Holland lives in peace.