. . . LOOP-HOLE.

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 271, 15 December 1939, Page 3 (Supplement)

. . . LOOP-HOLE.

More people are killed in motor accidents due to the blackout in England than in our armed forces on active service (says the 8.8. C.) This is cheer-

ful news (perhaps it is meant to be). The brunt of the losses (according to official disclosures) seem to have been suffered by the Navy. The work of the Navy is admittedly dangerous, but starving Germany is as effective as invasion. It is distressing, however, to learn that Mussolini is still Mussolini. Hitler is thumbing, his nose at the blockade, because his old partner, Mussolini, is supplying him through the Brenner Pass. Economists state that so long as this continues, the blockade is a farce. A loophole big enough to drive a train through is quite big enough for Hitler.

When a Cabinet, or “Junta,” is composed of groups of men with opposing interests, their policy will be as erratic as the course of a ship in which the officers are continually struggling for control of the wheel. This zig-zagging has been particularly noticeable in British foreign policy since the invasion of Manchuria in 1931. Sr Samuel Hoare was disgraced because he conspired with Mussolini; Mr. Eden because he stood up to Musso-

lini. Lord Halifax has remained, although he has both appeased and defied the dictators. The present struggle for the wheel is resulting in some interesting and curious contradictions. There are three opposing parties: Finance, manufacturers, andwhat, for want of a better word, we could call ‘ patriots (or imperialists). This last group includes the armed forces, with Mr. Churchill, Duff Cooper, Eden and followers. There is no doubt which group is supported by the people. If a vote wers taken, Mr. Churchill would be Prime Minister, Mr. Eden Foreign Minister, and, no doubt, Mr. Duff Cooper would be back at the. Admiralty. A significant fact is the increasing influence of the armed forces. The credit for this is largely due to General Gamelin, who has firmly shown M. Daladier that he can go so far and no further. French influence ,on the British forces has strengthened Mr. Churchill’s position. The struggle for control which has resulted in many of these strange vagrancies is now turning towards the question of what to do with Mussolini. As the war against Hitler is settling down into a routine, the bad boy of the

Mediterranean is agai on to the political staj

. PROBLE

There is an old sayin only good Indian is a de The same applies to ; Although many parlc cians in Whitehall hai on Mussolini, the shrc tical men who contro armed forces to-day h; lusions about the vah word. The same, in a gree, may be said o These ex-partners of are neutral only in i Gestapo and Nazi spies in Spain and Italy.