NAVAL CONGRESS.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 17982, 29 March 1930, Page 6

NAVAL CONGRESS.

The delegates to the London Naval Conference are evidently covering the ground carefully. 1 They realise that they have been entrusted with au important commission, and are not disposed to scamp their work. Ihc slowness of their progress, however, shows that they are confronted with some real obstacles, which requite much patience and acumen to surmount. Chief of these apparently is the Franco-Italian difference. It will be regrettable if a way cannot be found, as the failure of the conference would have a bad psychological effect, and give rise to a feeling that the much stressed desire for amity and goodwill is not based on a very substantial foundation. 'The natural sequel of the Locarno and Kellogg Pacts ..is a large measure of disarmament, ’ and if a signatory steadfastly refuses to recognise that fact it indicates a distrust of its neighbours which bodes ill for the future. The London Conference is facing a vital problem, and if it fails to solve it those nations responsible for such failure will have to stand much criticism, and must be' prepared to confront charges of insincerity. The demand for security pacts to meet a contingency which cannot possibly arise -provided the steps so far taken have been based on good faith, indicates the presence of suspicion which, if harboured, may culminate in something much more serious. It is sincerely to be hoped that the strenuous efforts being made to compose, differences will be suocesful and that when the delegates finally separate it will be officially announced that they have reached an “all in” agreement.