BRITAIN’S MOTTO

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20717, 30 January 1939, Page 9

BRITAIN’S MOTTO

DEFENCE, NOT DEFIANCE MR CHAMBERLAIN SPEAKS REPLY TO CRITICS (United Preas Awn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Jan. 29 “Our motto is neither defiance nor deference; It is defence,” declared the Prime Minister, Mr Chamberlain, In a speech at Birmingham last night. He arraigned those who, blinded by partisanship, criticised his visit to Rome, which, he said, was not actuated by a desire to secure bargains, but to improve his acquaintance with Italian statesmen without either converting the other.

Unprecedented demonstrations of welcome had marked his visit, which proved Italy’s desire for peace, which every country shared. Mr Chamberlain continued. It took two to make peace, whereas one could make war. Only a challenge for forcible domination of the world could endanger peace. The democracies, as he and Mr Roosevelt had already indicated, must inevitably resist this; but he did not believe such a challenge was intended because, owing to appreciation of the gravity of the consequences, no Government which had at heart the interests of the peoples of either side would embark on war. There was no difference that was insoluble, without war by consultation and negotiation in accordance with the Munich declaration. A Grim Necessity The present rearmament activity would not remain a feature of British life, but was a temporary, grim necessity, said the Prime Minister. All trusted it was a preliminary to a return to sanity. Meanwhile, the International tension hampered business enterprise. This, apart from other considerations, justified the Government’s efforts to ease the strain and promote international understanding. Mr Chamberlain said he did not regret his part in the events of last September. Peace could not have been saved without Signor Mussolini’s cooperation. “We must satisfy other countries’ reasonable aspirations, and be ready to talk on terms of equality,” the Prime Minister added.

Dealing with defence, Mr Chamberlain recalled that 60 new ships aggregating 130,000 tons would be added to the Royal Navy by the end of March, and 75 ships, aggregating 150,000 tons, in the ensuing 12 months.

Aircraft production had been doubled in the last few months. Factories had been erected and extended, and the defence programme had been accelerated. The position had been greatly improved, and anti-aircraft deficiencies had been largely removed.

‘ We must build up a fourth army of national defence, because, although we will not all be in the firing line, we may all be in the line of fire," said Mr Chamberlain. National Security Health, housing, recreation and the prosperity of industry and agriculture, although not neglected, were regrettably hampered by the demands of national security, the Prime Minister went on. The revised plans for civil defence would, as far as possible, be disclosed to all who were affected. "I do not fear the result of the appeal for voluntary workers,” he said. "The idea is to find people for certain definite jobs, not jobs for the whole of the people. We confidently count on the national response to make our defence invincible, avoiding needless alarms and facing the future courageously, as did our ancestors 125 years ago.” DICTATORS WARNED AGAINST PERILOUS ILLUSIONS FRENCH PRESS' PRAISE (United Press Assn.—Elec, Tel. copyright) (Received Jan. 30, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, Jan. 29 ! The Sunday Times siys Mr Chamj berlain, in dwelling on.the magnitude of British rearmament, intended to answer domestic critics, but his words ! have a value for foreign hearers. I Dictators before deciding on their ! next moves should indulge in no peri- ! lous illusions.

PARIS, Jan. 29 The French press praised Mr Chamberlain's speech. The Petit Journal says: "Mr Chamberlain sill expresses faith in peace, but he clearly defined the limits bevond which it was impossible to go. lie has done this with * calmness and firmness which should make the heads of those nations animated by a warlike spirit reflect.”