STRONG NAVY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 8, 2 October 1937, Page 8

STRONG NAVY

British Public Approve Rearmament MR K. McLEAY'S 0PINI0N Conpidering that a strong British Nary i» ono of the most potent arguments for peace, the British public ia completely in approval with the rearmament policy at present being pursued, according to Mr K. AIcLeay, manager of the Richardson Shipping Company, who recently visited England on business, and who addressed the Napier Chamber of Commerce on his trip. Any opposition in connection with the rearmament programme had been caused not by the expense, but by the incidence of faxation. "The idea of rearmament in Britain has the approval of a majority of tlie people," said the speaker. "lt is true there was some demur in connection with the extraordinary Budget which wah put before the House of Commons to finance rearmameht, but the comment at the time was not on payment for rearmament, but merely the mattor of the incidence of the taxation. The feeling exists that it ib preferable to have a large navy and be in a position to patrol and alford protection on the dift'erent routes which our commerce must traverse. At present Britain 's word can be talien and relied upon by all nations, but the same cannot be said of that of many of the other nations. "On considering this question of r*sarmament, I am definitely of the opinion that it is preferable that the hugo sums of money should . be spent, as it is better to provide the money than be dragged into a war which could possibly be avpided if Britain were in a strong position, as the sacrifice of lives would be a very mueh greater sacrifice than that of money. In addition to this, rearmament means the creation of employment in the manufacture and purchase of commodities, as well as providing employment for a tremendous number of people in the way of policing Britain and the Empire with a larger navy. "This was emphasised in the period from 1893 to 1914, when Britain was virtually on a three-power standard, durmg which period there was greater seeurity for Britain and the Empireh than at any other period of the world 's history. A stronger Britain is, in my opinion, conducive to the development of trading between nations, and it is in the development of business that unemployment throughout the world can be reduced, and in addition to this it is better for mankind that tbe peoples of the dilferent nations should be oceupied and have a f uture rather than be contronted with idleness."