BRITAIN LEADS THE ECONOMIC WORLD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 201, 26 August 1936, Page 10

BRITAIN LEADS THE ECONOMIC WORLD

HER RE-AKMAftIEiST ONLY I'EACE GUaKAxviEjm Britain is now the strongest country in tne world irom tne economic viewpoint, and her re-armament to the extent oi eclipsing every other power is tne only assurance oi peace in Jtsurope, is tne opinion ox Mr. Tom ClarKe, virector ot Journalism at London University. Mr. ClarKe arrived in Melbourne last nionin on a world tour which must be completed by Uctouer id. Mr. ClarKe made a rapid tour I through Europe, staying three weeks | m v icnna, which nu uuX'ituw as trie present political pulse -or Europe. in his opinion, Britain has lost political prestige in Europe over her I Handling oi the Abyssinian question. She also has lost trade from the I sanctions operations. j Yet, he says, Britain has made a > marked business and internal recovery and her exports are soaring. World’s Strongest Britain, Mr Clarke considers, ranks now as the strongest country in the world from the economic viewpoint, and compared with the other nations of Europe she is not living with her nerves on edge from ihe constant | rumours and threats of war. I Mr. Clarke said that, while many Englishmen had not believed the League of Nations could succeed, they had given it whole-hearted support. Britain as a result had given a lead to the world by disarming to absolute limits, but recent rapid changes in the international venue had made continuation of that policy an impossibility. Only Way to Peace “I am not a jingo," said Mr. Clarke, "but now that the league has drifted into the position of being merely an alliance of certain Powers against certain other Powers and has proved itself to be a policeman without a truncheon, 1 am one of many advocating directly lor Britain to re-arm and re-arm until she has the biggest air force, the biggest Heel and the biggest army. "1 believe that only such re-arma-ment can ensure peace in Europe and that any other policy would be suicidal until a reformed League can be created and given real powers to enforce its decisions. "Everywhere in Europe there is talk of war but, frankly, 1 cannot see war occurring, particularly now that the Abyssinian adventure appears to have cooled the ardour of Mussolini. Fears for France -Many conservatives in England, however, profess to see danger in the French situation, for they visualise that within 18 months there will occur a Fascist revolt in France, followed, probably, by a repetition of the Spanish lighting. “What is certain, however, is that the bread and butter section of the people in every nation has made a very definite swing to the left." Mr. Clarke said his present trip had convinced him that the mass of the people in each country desired peace. Bruce’s Distinction He said that the high tributes recently paid to the High Commissioner in London, Mr. Bruce, had been deserved. In his opinion, Mr. Bruce has done more and achieved greater distinction in England and in Europe than any other Dominions politician.