BRITAIN’S SACRIFICES

Hokitika Guardian, 30 October 1928, Page 2

BRITAIN’S SACRIFICES

(Exchange)

Mr Winston Churchill as a public man and a politician has many defects, but sometimes his characteristic weaknesses seem very closely akin to virtues. His recklessness and his lack ol any adequate sense of responsibility enable him often to speak his mind with a. force of conviction that his mpre cautious colleagues cannot hope to attain; and he has just illustrated these remarkable qualities in a very striking way. . Evidently annoyed by the carping criticism directed against the Government for its failure to abolish armaments so rapidly as the pacifists desire, Mr Churchill has boldly carried the war into the enemy camp, and has reminded his hearers and the world at' large that Britain has already made enormous and unparalleled sacrifices in the interests of international friendship ‘ and peace. From the standpoint of political expediency, it may be injudicious to put the facts in this uncompromising form. But Mr Churchill is not only courageous, but patriotic, and even his enemies must admit that his latest outburst is inspired by a sincere love of his country and genuine regard for hei- interests. As to disarmament, Britain’s record is certainly unique among the nations. During the war she had millions under arms; now she has gone back to a a tiny army, scarcely more than a glorified police force.” She has, in the cause of peace, surrendered voluntarily the naval supremacy which has been for ,;so many centuries the foundation of her national and Imperial strength. Even her air force is only half as strong as that of her nearest neighbour, and Mr Churchill ingeniously suggests that though France is now fortunately ’ our good friend,” this is no permanent guarantee for future safety. Finally, as regards the wealth that has been termed so often ‘‘the sinews of war,” Britain has made to her debtors a gift of £2,000,000,000. She will take no money either from Germany or the Allies over and above what is needed to pay her own debts to the United States; and Mr Churchill here gives the “hundred per cent American’ who has told the world that “ the. money was borrowed and must be paid” an advertisement that he' may not altogether appreciate. %ut so far as Britain is concerned, the Chancellor of the Exchequer is not exaggerating when he declares that no other country has made or can contemplate making such sacrifices as these, and Britain’s detractors, whether at home or abroad, should not be allowed to forget it.