DISARMAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1932, Page 5

DISARMAMENT

BRITISH POLICY GERMAN ATTITUDE REGRETTED (British Official Wireless.) • RUGBY, October 17. The keynote of British policy is not re-armament, but disarmament, declared Mr MacDonald, speaking at a luncheon given by the National Lahour Committee in London, at which ■ practically every Cabinet Minister was J present. He declaimed that the British National Government stood! by the League of Nations and by the Covenant. They .wanted the-Disarmament Conference to produce a real contribution to the present problem of establishing world peace not merely to add to the formal moral coinage of the world. 1 . He continued: ‘T am not sure wo have not perhaps played the part of peacemaker a little too long, but I would vather.be blamed for that than for precipitating a situation which would, make agreement impossible. Germany knows perfectly well and has known for some time, that 'Great Britain does not oppose her claim to be regarded ns an equnl at the Disarmament Conference. She also knows that we ore very anxious to make uso of the Opportunity to bring her and her neighbour* into relations of greater confidence, In preparation for the agreement, Germany ought to see she has to be present and exchange views with us all. Italy and ourselves have both agreed on how ; the deadlock could be, ended. France -agreed in the end to meet Germany, Italy, and ourselves. I profoundly regret that Germany, while declaring rbadiness to attend such a conference, refuses to go to Geneva, for reasons' the substance of which it is difficult for me to detect. I hope her latest word is not \ her last. The British 'Government is ■ continuing to pursue its purpose and hopes to make a further (announcement in a few days.” 1 '

Referring to domestic affairs, the Prime Minister said: “Our influence and advice will be on the side of maintaining alt party land Rational efforts until the country is able to lead to a return of conditions of prosperity. : He justified the Government’s economic, policy and the unavoidable hardships that were incurred on the grounds that'the economic foundations of the country had Thereby been kept intact and sound.

Referring to the recent conversion A" operations, he..said they had succeeded beyond the expectations of the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s 'predecessors , in’-office. . , Parliament ’reassembles to-morrow ' The earliest' opportunity - will be given to political opponents if, they wish to challenge-any aspect of •the Government’s policy, .; • \ HERiRIOTT’S VISIT TO SPAIN. y LONDON, October 18. ‘‘The Times”” correspondent at Paris states: “There is'no' 1 truth in the report' that M. Herriott’s visit to Spain is a political one. No contractural or written agreement has } been undertaken between France and Spain, and none is being, prepared. It is equally incorrect to link the visit with anything discussed at Genova. HUNGARY AND ITALY. ROME, October 18. “If the peace of Europe is to be preserved the wrongs done to Hungary must be removed,” said Signor Mussolini, when speaking tb-’-a Hungarian deputation. He added: “Peace treaties are not eternal. Italy will do her best to help Hungary to better days.”