TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19564, 1 May 1935, Page 6

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Prime Minister’s Statement. « Mr M. J. Savage, the leader of the Opposition, in a statement in Auckland yesterday expressed astonishment at the remarks made by Mr G. W. Forbes, the Prime Minister of New Zealand, in Canada to the effect that “ When Britain is at war we are at war. .\. . If another war broke out I expect New Zealand would act as promptly as she did in 1914. There would be no necessity to call Parliament together to decide what should be done.” Mr Forbes’ statement was perhaps too sweeping—probably ill-advised, but ns Mr Savage admitted New Zealand’s future is bound up with tho countries of the British Commonwealth. That- being the case it is difficult to conceive circumstances in which if Britain were engaged in war, tho associated countries would not also become involved. That, however, admitted the position between Britain and the Dominions have undergone a change since 1914, and the latter, undoubtedly, have the right of private judgment as to tho merits of a dispute entailing conflict and can, if they so desire, refrain from hostilities. To infer as Mr Forbes allegedly did that the government would be justified to rush recklessly into a struggle of which the majority of the people did not approve is taking much for granted. As stated, it is difficult to imagine such circumstances arising, but there is undoubtedly a possibility of their doing so. Therefore, it behoves those in positions of authority to speak guardedly and be chary of making commitments. “ Repudiation

“We arc entering on an extension of armaments as intensive, and as serious, as that from 1909 to 1913,” said Mr A. V. Alexander, First Lord of the Admiralty in the last Labour Government.

“There cannot he any other end than repudiation of present liabilities if the country is going into the same kind of race and subsequent war expenditure you had in 1914, because there will not be left a margin of taxability in the common people to meet the bill.”