HOPE OF PEACE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 August 1939, Page 5

HOPE OF PEACE

SEEN BY THE BRITISH PRIME MINISTER IF WAR OF WORDS COULD BE HALTED. OUTLOOK OF RULERS & PEOPLE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY. July 31. “One must admit that the situation in which the accumulation of weapons ol war is going on on so many sides and al such a pace is one which cannot bill be regarded with anxiety." staled ilie Primo Minister, Air Chamberlain. in the course of his speech in I lie I louse of Commons’ foreign affairs debate.

“Indeed, it is difficult to see what the resolution of this problem can be unless it is to bo resolved by war itself. Unhappily, bad feeling between the nations is fomented daily by poisonous propaganda in the Press and by other means. "I cannot help feeling that if only we could halt this war of words and if in addition to that some action could be taken which would tend to restore the confidence of the people in the peaceful intentions of all Slates in Europe—if that could be done the gains for all the world would be incalculable. and I am firmly convinced they could look forward to a period of increasing and unexampled prosperity in international industry and agriculture which would result in a general improvement of the conditions of the people. “If it could only be done, then I know of no question that could not, and would not, be solved by peaceful discussion. On the other hand, if war should come, whatever side may claim the ultimate victory, nothing is more certain than this: victor and vanquished would glean a gruesome harvest of human suffering and misery. “I do believe that that great and profound fundamental truth is beginning to get down to the minds of rulers and people alike. It is on that belief that I base my hope that we may yet find a way to escape from the present nightmare and come once more to the sunlight of peace.” At the conclusion of the day’s debate a motion by the Liberal Opposition to reduce the Estimates was defeated by 266 votes to 130. A further opportunity for a debate on international affairs will occur in the House of Commons, when the motion fixing the date for reassembly after the summer recess and providing for earlier summoning of the House if the public interest so demands, is moved. In Opposition circles there is a feeling that Parliament should not. disperse for any prolonged period in view of the critical international situation.