The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1927 SECURITY AND PEACE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 December 1927, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 28, 1927 SECURITY AND PEACE.

Tilb reply of the British Prime Minister (Mr Baldwin) to the letter signed by 128,700 Britons refusing to support or render war service to any Government which resorts to arms, was a very adequate answer on the general aspect of security tor peace. No one nowadays would l>elievo that any British Government would rush into war for the mere purpose of empty glorification. If war is to conic, it would come for some definite reason which made it obligatory. But Mr Baldwin goes much further in his reply, and gives an academic reply, it not a review ot the whole issue, not merely of war, but of

ilio iitrussitii's requisite to iMiiiiiliiiii peace. Apart from tlin defence ot t lie Empire itself, Britain lias material obligations under tlie League ol Nations which reipiire to have at hand the means for defence in emergency. In point of fact, there is need for ail army and navy tor the same reason as the retention of a police force -for seenritv against harm. Mr Baldwin makes it plain that were the British Navy and Army to cease, the collapse of the League of Nations would follow, for the very weakness of Britain would lie an incitement to war. It is clear from this that ‘‘peace at any price” is not purchasable. Sacrifice as Bri--1 tain might by attempting to do witlij out a Navy and an Army, there could he no peace, and so we are hack at the fundamental that to secure peace it is essential to prepare for war. While Britain has attempted to perform her duty to her neighbours in the matter of reduction of armaments, there is still the necessity for the common defence of the Empire itself. The obligations in that regard are both internal and external. It is necessary to assure peace within the borders of each dependency, as it is requisite also to insure safety in inter-eom,muni-cation, for which purpose the ocean pathways must lie kept secure to British trade and commerce. These obvious obligations in national security call for defensive preparations as regards both the army and navy strength. Britain has done much in regard to the reduction of armaments, hut there is a limit in that direction with the national responsibilities. Mr Baldwin stated very practically in his' closing remarks that he has yet to learn that the cause of peace can lie served by rendering Britain impotent, and that is really the crux of the whole defence question. In the Great War Britain’s might was the deciding factor, the result of the war. Without Britain, Europe would have been over-run by the overlording enemy. Britain entered the war first in keeping her pledged word, and second in the task of saving the continent, and incidentally world interests. Had that not been done, there would have been .no occasion for any number of Britons to write their Prime Minister on the subject. Mr Baldwin was called upon to reply. A victorious Germany dominating Europe woul(| have altered the whole outlook for the rest of the world, and the new set of circumstances would have changed the whole defensive proposition for the Empire. Tile outstanding fact is that Britain with so much at stake must remain a first-class Power. To have ami to hold her Empire possessions an adequate defence is necessary, and the Government is the best judge of the requirements, 'flic Government has the knowledge and the responsibility of the actual world situation. and the safety not only of Britain, but of the Empire overseas is their charge. Mr Baldwin recognises the position at its true worth, and his summary does credit alike to his head and heart in guaging the situation at its true value in respect to both security and peace.