The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1930.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1930, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30, 1930.

THJO TREATY AND AFTER. The Labour Covernment at Home is receiving a good deal of kudos over tne result of the Naval Conference. Something definite lias been achieved, though not as much as was hoped for and expected when in January last the deliberations began. Air Ramsay .MacDonald has done a great deal, and j has not snared himself in the effort. | He began by approaching America in j a personal way, and thereby laid the foundation for the success so far as it has been .achieved—the signing of the tri-partite treaty. On the face of things it is not likely that Ilritain, the Idnitod States and .Japan would ever go to war with each other. JJi'itain and

the States are of one blood. Britain

and Japan are allies of olu, and their treaty agreements have been observed always. In naval matters the three | Powers have led the world, and tneir decision as regards limitation must ui value to une respective couiunes concerned, in regard to the enormous saving which it will be possible to I make by the abandonment of naval ; building plans. In the nn.e of armaI meats, me sutt-us of the leading navy was always the ideal for the others to build up to. Great Britain has ruled | tne seas for so long with a navy ..which was invincible. Other nationals view- ! ed that fact with a degree of jealousy which extending to its populace, caused Governments to join in the rude of armaments and carry on large building programmes. The United States became so disturbed over “the freedom of the seas” issue in war time, that its inflammatory orators stirred the nation to demand parity with Britain. The Uni led States had the money and it set out to achieve its goal. This policy forced Britain to spend more on her navy, , and Japan joined in the race. The finality now reached by way of the treaty, is therefore a step in the right direction, and is going to be of great value in the future, for the race of armaments between the three Powers now ends There is a different aspect as affecting France and Italy. These two Powers would not join in the treaty, though the way is open io them at any time Italy sought parity with France, but the latter would no agree. France stands out of the treaty arrangements despite the spirit of the entente cordiale which was fostered successfully by the late King Edward. France is Britain’s closest neighbour, and though the fullest proof was given over the period of the Great War of Britain’s desire to honour her treaty obligations, France with evident selfishness deckled to. stand aside, and in that attitude virtually threw a doubt on the bona fides or Britain jn relation to any overt acts against France. France and Italy could not agree to come together, and are standing out. They have the Knowledge of the, limit of naval power set for Britain, America and Japan, and it will be interesting to see how they will arrange their own building programmes. As they cannot agree as between themselves, France and Italy may set out on a naval building race, which on the face of it seems to be a foolish and futile act. Where is the enemy they seek to pre-pa re for? The matter is largely, political in both countries, for in both, party Government has become a fetish. Harking back to the tripartite treaty, we see in it further evidence of England’s great desire for peace, but that should not make her blind to what her neighbours may do. Britain has great obligations all round the world. The ocean is her great highway, and it must he policed effectively if the life blood of tiie country is to be effectually maintained. Britain needs a defensive navy, and it is the business of the controlling Government to maintain that arm of defence. The national security must be maintained at all costs, and.the Government which fails in that destroys the activities of the nation and heads it to doom.