BRITAIN STRONG

Waikato Times, Volume 123, Issue 20692, 30 December 1938, Page 5

BRITAIN STRONG

PREMIER’S CONFIDENCE WAR NOT INEVITABLE GREAT ARMED STRENGTH (United Pres* Assn.—Elec Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 30, 12.35 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 29 Mr Chamberlain in a New Year message to Conservatives throughout the Empire, rejects the contention that Britain’s sole task is to prepare for war, in the beliof that war is inevitable. He adds: “Last year's gains far outweighed its trials and anxieties, and left no cause for pessimism. The rearmament plans have so progressed, though much remains to be done, that wo could discharge our obligations to our allies, our Empire and ourselves. “Our armed strength has enabled us to say that we will meet all peoples in a spirit of reasonableness, but we are not conceding to force, while our social services have been maintained unimpaired.” EMPIRE PROBLEMS ADJUSTMENT OF POPULATION BRITAIN AND THE DOMINIONS DEVELOPMENT OF RESOURCES (United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) (Received Dec. 30, 1 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 29 The British Empire Union has written to Mr Chamberlain submitting that present world tendencies necessitate the immediate adjustment of Empire problems, including the development of natural resources, and a readjustment of the population between England and the Dominions and colonies. It adds: “While Britain must have an outlet for its surplus population the Dominions must increase their population in order to accumulate manpower to develop the natural resources. The necessary finance should be obtained from the Empire as a whole, enabling unemployed British youth to become useful citizens overseas, whence the Dominions would equally benefit by the absorption of their own unemployed, by useful additions of British stock and by the resultant increased prosperity. Peace depended 011 a united Empire, with closer co-operation between the component parts. Therefore, the English and Dominion Governments should formulate a mutually advantageous and constructive scheme.