ARMAMENTS & PEACE

Wairarapa Age, 6 July 1936, Page 5

ARMAMENTS & PEACE

MR. BALDWIN URGES NEED OF BETTER POUCY. LASTING SECURITY DEPENDENT ON TRADE REVIVAL. FRANCO-GERMAN AGREEMENT VITAL. RUGBY, July 3. In vigorous justification of the Government ’s policy at the City of London Conservatives’ centenary dinner, the Prime Minister, Mr. Stanley Baldwin, said that circumstances had proved that the sanctions imposed were not swift enough in practice fy) effect what they had all hoped might be possible. There . came a point when further pressure might well have meant war, and once war was in progress no one knew where it would spread, or when it would G end. Last year, during certain developments in Europe, he was convinced that if this country were again to participate in sanctions she should do so with the knowledge that they might very likely leave war in their train and must therefore prepare herself to fulfil the obligations ' under the Covenant in any circumstances. That was why Britain was now preparing in the eVent of it being necessary at any time to take obligations under .the Covenant, whatever might result.

Until trade onee more began tp circulate and goods could be exchanged and paid for by nations there was no permanence in security. Though they all knew they must go on quickly with re-annament, they realised .that the expenditure Brita'in was making on armaments Was at the expensA of her international trade. They had to emphasise the folly of such procedure in their conversations with foreign countries, for if protracted toe long ir might xuin her. t The ’ Prime Minisfer added: "It is our strongest desire to bring together France and Germany, without whose collaboration no peace in Europe is possible. I still hope that in these next months we may see progress to 1 the goal which we all desire.”—(British Official Wireless.)