“BRITAIN NOT ASLEEP”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 246, 17 October 1936, Page 8

“BRITAIN NOT ASLEEP”

N.5.W. PREMIER'S SPEECH REARMAMENT EFFORTS Britain s great re-armamcnt efforts Were described by the Premier (Mr Stevens) when he and members of his family were welcomed home at a large gathering in the Croydon Masonic Hall, Sydney, on Saturday, October 3. “On the Clyde I saw 13 naval vessels being built, and many others were being repaired and equipped for war,” said Mr Stevens. “Britain is not asleep. She is preparing for security." Mr Stevens described preparations in Sheffield for vast increases in the output of steel. Britain Truly Great Mr Stevens spoke of the conditions in Continental countries, and contrasted the massed discipline and drilling in Europe with the freedom of action of the people of Great Britain. There was, he said, not a single country that did not thank God for what Britain was. for what she had done, and for what she was capable M doing if the world ever required It. Britain was great in terms of what -he had done, but was greater still in terms of what she was. for she was trusted and she was trustworthy. The British £ would be cashed anywhere in Europe. With Continental currencies the position was very different. America’s Co-operation America, said Mr Stevens, was coming nearer to the standards of Britain in meeting its obligations to the world, and trying to help other people as well as themselves. People who watched international movements were praying that the great American people would come closer to the British people. They were closer now’ than when he was in New York live weeks ago. In some parts of Europe there was J'o criticism of the leaders because there were no newspapers, and there were conscription camps. ’Thank God for the liberty we have in Australia, even though sometimes that liberty is abused,” Mr Stevens added. have in Britain the embodiment of two mighty forces. These are the force for peace and leadership and for international sanity. But n a world that is half-crazy there are always people that want to fight, ind so Britain has the mighty force hat comes from strength, and that’ .vill be properly used for the peace of he world. “Let’s thank God more than ever hat we are British, and that the leaders of the British Empire are playing their part in a very difficult i world.” '