The Waikato Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1937. THE BRITISH WAY

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20126, 23 February 1937, Page 6

The Waikato Times. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1937. THE BRITISH WAY

The speech of Mr Baldwin when he replied to the debate on the financial resolution passed prior to the introduction of legislation empowering the Government to raise loans for defence purposes was typical of the man, and incidentally disclosed why he holds such a pre-eminent position in the public life of the Mother Country. It was the speech of one who prefers to keep his feet on the ground and who knows in what direction he is travelling. There was not a word that could he regarded by any foreign country as a threat. It was necessary, Mr Baldwin said, to strengthen the defence forces of the country because of the conditions obtaining in the international arena, but that did not imply any lessening of the desire to advance plans for mutual understanding and so for world peace. And, when he mentioned the cause of peace, the Prime Minister was able to say that there was no difference of view in any part of the House.

This was no lip service to a great cause. Indeed, in days to come, it will be seen that the influence of Great Britain in the last year or two has been the most powerful factor in preventing war. Only the continued efforts of the British Government have at last brought the nations to a point of agreement regarding the policy of non-intervention in Spain. It took much time and patience but it has been done, and even if it should prove to have been too late no blame for that can rest on the shoulders of the British Government. Without its steady pressure in all probability the conflict would have spread over a wider area. Mr Baldwin disclosed that renewed efforts are being made to bring the signatories to the Locarno Pact together again in the hope that some new agreement may be reached, and he stressed the value placed upon regional pacts of this character. But probably the aspect that will make the widest appeal, especially to the smaller States, was the Prime Minister’s frank declaration that nations of goodwill must be prepared to act together, and must be sufficiently strong collectively to make it too dangerous for any would-be aggressor to resort to force. That is a policy that will be readily understood by the smaller States, and the British authorities should be able to count on a willing response. Such an understanding would not constitute a menace to any nation except that which wanted to break the peace, and it would be open for any nation to join. Exclusion would be self-imposed. These, there can be no doubt, represent the views of British citizens generally, and it is because of his ability to express those views, and of his willingness to frame a policy consistent with them, that the Prime Minister holds such a strong position in the public life.