TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 115, Issue 19203, 13 March 1934, Page 4

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

The Locarno Incubus. “The condition of Britain's acceptance of the serious obligations under tho Locarno Treaty is that, in the meantime, the heavilyarmed Powers would undertake a large measure of disarmament,” writes Viscount Snowden. “This condition lias not been fulfilled, and wc should be morally justified in withdrawing from our undertaking.

“It is the duty of the Government to tell its co-signatories to (he Locarno Treaty that this nation cannot support it if either of them dishonours its part of the pact by maintaining or increasing its armaments and so making us in part responsible for the disastrous consequences of policies in which we have no share. I am not suggesting isolation, but I am maintaining that when international agreements have been entered into every party shall honestly pursue a policy which will reduce to a minimum tho possibilities of war. “The policy of drift permitted by successive Governments since the Versailles Treaty is now bringing ils inevitable results. It is responsible for the position in Germany. Nothing will save Europe now but a determined and courageous effort to deal justly with admitted grievances. Continued hesitation and delay will b/ing disaster.”

Labour's Banking Policy. “‘One publicly owned and publicly cnnlrolled hanking corporation,* can only mean (hat the new corporation will he controlled by a political Minister, who in turn, according to Air Clyues’s resolution, will he controlled by parly politicians.” stales The Times, commenting on tin* banking policy of the British Imhonr Parly. “B is therefore (dear beyond question that the policy of the Socialist League has already been in part adopted by the official Labour Party, and so much of it has been adopted that equal success may well attend the rest, which is now under official Jonsideratioii. “Only the proposal to do all these tilings by order under an Emergency Act lias at the moment been definitely rejected. It is a most important exception, which may be attributed to a proper sense of the lively and widespread respect in Ibis country for democratic government. But it does not in the least dispose of the authority of the Socialist League within the parly in framing measures ns distinct from methods, nor (.foes it make the policy in itself more moderate.’'' • - -