“STILL ON TOP”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 55, 7 March 1939, Page 7

“STILL ON TOP”

BRITISH EMPIRE Reference By Lord Nuffield THE SEPTEMBER CRISIS ARMY AND NAVY WERE NEVER STRONGER [ Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON. March 6. “The British Empire has been on top, is on top, and is still going to be on top, and if there is anyone who wants to tear it to pieces I can only say they will meet with disaster,” said Viscount Nuffield, when referring to the recent European crisis in the course of a reply to a toast to him at a dinner given in his honour, by the chairman of directors of Dominion Motors, Ltd., Sir Charles Norwood, to-night. Lord Nuffield said the next

war would be a world war, but he hoped the nations would all see reason in future and obviate such a catastrophe. “Coming as I do from the other side of the world," Lord Nuffield said, “where not so long ago a crisis prevailed, I would like to try and give a little comfort to the people so far away, for the reason that I do not think that on many occasions you get the right information at this distance. At the time of the crisis we were all very worried, but not afraid. I can say here to-night that the army and navy at that time had never been in better condition in tire history of England. We were certainly short in the air, but had it been necessary to fight I think the other people would have found that we had more strength than they expected.” Tribute to Chamberlain. Lord Nuffield paid a tribute to the part played by the British Prime Minister, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, in the crisis, which he said he was sure the world would never forget. “God only knows, we don't want the Great War over again,” he continued. “It would not only be the Great War over again, it would be a world war next time. To me it is almost unbelievable that in this age anyone should want to bring about such a disaster and I feel sure that if it is in the power of England and Mr. Chamberlain has done his best and is still doing his best, that it will not occur. I leel sure such work cannot be overlooked and that after what he has done it is almost impossible for any other country to bring about a war without reason. I can only hope the countries concerned will become a little more sane." At present, Lord Nuffield continued, he was putting up one of the biggest aircraft factories in the world, and he could assure his hearers that no time had been wasted in building it and producing aeroplanes in the shorest posible time. "I will not say more on that subject,” Lord Nuffield continued. “There is naturally so much more I could say, but many things are better left unsaid. England is still very busy and confident and I should not have left England had I thought there was goir, to be