The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MARCH 27, 1933. HOPE REVIVED.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 March 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. MONDAY, MARCH 27, 1933. HOPE REVIVED.

Thebe is mors than a ray of hope now about tile possibility 01 tne Eur-

o'jean-ai'iuecl camps being reduced substantially fa strength, and by that

means greater security will be possible immediately, and permanent peace will be in eight, When Mr Ramsay MacDonald and hij, co.leagues 1 carueu tnat the Disarmament Conference at Geneva showed signs of breaking down, and the delegate dispersing with nothing practical accomphahcid, Britain, 'stepped into the ■aiena with a definite scheme. It was a happy thought that the British Prime Minister and his Minister of Foreign Affairs .should journey to Rome to meet Premier Mussolini. The two leaders, it appeared, were invirtual 'agreement on cardinal points to assure peace., and after a memorable meeting which will mark a prominent mile-stone on the road to peace, Mr MacDonald returned via Paris and wa,s able to assure, the .French Premier that .i’ll was going well, and there were great possibilities ahead if the nations would show confidence ia each other and set aoout a real .settlement. Since then, Mr MacDonald has addressed the House of Commons much on the same lines, pointing out that the international situation was lacking in confidence, but once that was revived security for all would follow. The Little Entente in Europe seems ready always to raise objections to peace plans, and as usual see difficulties in the new. proposals.- It would indeed be impossible to produce a plan which would be accepted unanimously by Europe at the first time of asking, on such an issue, but Mr MacDonald has made it plain that the securitiy of the small States of Europe Is 'to be guaranteed equally with that, of the larger 'States. Meantime the Dicbrihament Conference is deliberating. It is indeed a . great pity that so disturbing a spirit is rampant in Europe, but there is a great conflict of national interests, and the heart burnings of tlie peace settlement and the readjustment of boundaries, .have 'not yet (disappeared. There is intense rivalry internally as was manifested in the late 'situation in Danzig, and the same feeling is prevalent in other parts cf the Continent. It would appear that the Great Powers which .show signs of fieing fn concert, will have to go 'ahead with their major .scheme, and gradually extend it over the face cf Europe. At the outset it would appear it will be a case of trying, to convince some of the peoples against their will, and that might leave a situation more disturbing than the present. But when it is recognised it is a peace proposed after the lines of the Kellogg Pact, there will be, surely, the- realisation that what is proposed is for the good of the country internationally and not. for 'a.ny section. An assured .peace would help Europe tremendously. A holiday in armament creation would ease finance and give hack prosperity to the countries in the vast savings which could be made. Actually it was & great stroke of action the meeting of the. British and Italian political leaders, and it is to he hoped it will pave definitely a royal road to peace pud so give substance to the reviving hope now prevalent in Europe.