The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, SEPT. 30, 1933. DEFENCE AFFAIRS

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1933, Page 4

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast Times. SATURDAY, SEPT. 30, 1933. DEFENCE AFFAIRS

While the disarmament question is again under consideration at a Conference of Powers at Geneva, presided over by a Boer representative who entered a special plea for no more war, the leading naval powers in particular are preoccupied with naval and aerial defence. America has curtly refused to curtail the huge naval expenditure announced. Japan the ambitious, is determined to seek parity in naval equipment, Britain which has been lagging behind, and reducing effective defence to a dangerous minimum is being stirred and prompted to launch out in a vigorous naval policy. Australia is being stirred by influential agitation to prepare for possible eventualities, and some of the public speakers hint boldly at a growing danger in the Pacific through the growth of naval and military power in Japan. The effect is to bestir New 7 Zealand and there are signs that defence matters here will be stirred up. Aerial officers have been moving about preparing a report to cover coastal defence. It is announced the naval strength of Australia will be augmented and the coastal defence particularly in guns is to he strengthened. The ships of Australia and New Zealand have just been in consort carrying out war-time instruction, and visiting main ports where interest in naval matters has been stirred greatly. All this means an engendering of the war spirit, and emphasises the futility of the League of Nations to maintain peace by reason. At the same time the Disarmament Conference, earnest though some of the Powers are, is not bent on real accomplishment. The best suggestion has been to observe a stand-still policy by some of the leading Powers, but at the same time reports of Germany rearming and equipping on a grand scale are current, and undoubtedly a war spirit is being encouraged there, My Winston Churchill has given it out recently that the peace of Europe has been assured alone of late, because of the splendid force France has l'eady for eventualities. France still regards Germany as the arch enemy, and till the truth about German preparations are disclosed, is not prepared to take any risks. This general unsettled state of the nations and the pre-disposition to warlike preparations, is difficult to comprehend, There was a war of dimensions enough in 1914—1918 supposed to end war but it has left conditions more confounded still! Trade rivalries at a time when trade is so highly essential for the well-being of the world, have aroused international jealousies, and restrictions o n trading by customs and otherwise, have created a desire for effective reprisals. There is doubt and uncertainty, and in that dilemma it is considered safest to be armed, and so the race in armaments is revived. The Air force now comes into the picture, and this arm can be more deadly and destructive on non combatants than any other arm, and the rivalry in that link with defence, is very keen. The movement involves a great expenditure .and money has to be found in huge sums. This is going to be a further test on the national resources and it would be well were it a check. But it seems possible when money is required for such purposes that it is forthcoming, and that is the real insecurity of the .position. Still, the alarmists should not be allowed to stampede the country.