The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1929. FACING THE POSITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 June 1929, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 1929. FACING THE POSITION.

The Labour Party at Home is constituting the new Government, and it will now be entering on its great responsibilities. Already foreign comment is being made to attract Labour in a direction which might be unfavourable to Great Britain. We believe that by this time, Mr llamsay MacDonald and his Cabinet will be prepared to move warily in regard to all matters affecting foreign interests. The portfolio specially devoted to Foreign Affairs is likely to be in Mr Thomas’ keeping, and that gentleman has shown himself to be imbued with a large measure of common sense. He is capable ol doing a good deal of clear-thinking foi himself. It may lie assumed that the Government will do all it can tc. strengthen the position for a permanent peace. That has been the desire also of the other two principal parties, but it is a matter of first importance now the move is to- lie made. There is, however, the main principle of safe tv first to he observed. Great Bri tain must have, security at Home am' abroad before hastening on any sacrifices of strength. • Great Britain has shown a disposition all along to do he part in disarmament consistent will her safety at sea. There is no doubl that in reality Britain’s robust asso ciation with the League of Nations is the chief pillar of strength to that great and growing organisation. Already the • President of the United States is to the fore with certain pro posals, and no doubt Labour will give ear to him, but the decision should he

for Parliament rather than for the Government. Air Lloyd George is a determined worker towards world peace, and Air MacDonald will have reasonable support Loin that quarter, but Mr Lloyd George is not likeiy .o sacrifice the safety of liis country except on sale and sure grounds regarding international unity fiv-in those Powers with whom it is necessary ~o he compacted, ’i ne American overtures in Hie past have not been sh.jsiacto.y. They invariably are in the direction ol iisitino Lr all, and noi ..viiig prepared u> give anything. On cue vouiiary Ine neg. tia-ions have

-.me so far unit if Ainer.cn may no. what sue wants, then she proposes to set out on a great naval programme. would he interesting to ..no..’ where .t is proposed to use the ships, for the powers winch count in the matter have liad their experience in the iate war, and are n>t prepared at all readily to wine provocative action to create another condition of such terrifying national disaster. The Labour Government will be on the right lilies in moving circumspectly towards the general promotion of friendly relations with-the world at large. Great Britain has won the respect and even admiration of the world for its demeanoitr following tne settling up of the world war, and on that respected loundation, the Labour Government has a splendid chance to build better. The relations with Russia are sure to he pressed . n the Government, and it wiii be surprising if step by step something is nut done in the direction J , of promoting trading intercourse. The Sovie- has a long way to go to establish fuH confidence in Great Britain, out a beginning must he made sooner or later, and probably through the medium of the Labour Government on proper. lines, something might be possible. As regards Germany, Labour can hardly be more considerate than has the previous Government which was responsible for much advance in respect to- relations with the Allies generally. Perhaps Labour may help to intensify that feeling, and if so there can be no objection. The decision of the Government in matters affecting Frame will be most interesting, because on that may pivot the general* degree of confidence. Air MacDonald may win in Europe. The position in that respect calls for delicate handling, and it will be one oi ilie prime tests of the Government as to tne u.timate success of the foreign policy it will dovelope. And so the whole situation may be regarded with much speculative interest as to tiie immediate future.