IMPROBABILITY OF WAR

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 369, 25 February 1937, Page 5

IMPROBABILITY OF WAR

VISITOR’S VIEWS. LORD McGOWAN Political Tension Becoming Easier. Press Association—Copyright. Wellington, Last Night. Given freedom from war the world would recover from the recent de, pression years, said Lord McGowan, chairman anid managing director of Imperial Chemical Industries, addressing some 200 business men at Wellington to-day. He refuted a suggestion that the enormous expenditure on war materials was responsible for the improvement in trade and said mo'niey spent on armamlei|ts would cause a greater forward movement in commerce if it could have been directed into reproductive channels'. Apart from Spain there was less political tension to-day than there had been for some time, said Lord McGowan. “I do not believe in the probability of war,” he declared. "What did the last horrible war accomplish? Looking round the World to-day one would say in truth nothing There was victory neither to victor nor vanquished.

"The relations of certain countries in the world are worte than they were prior to August, 1911. Waat terrible, what devastating criticism of our twentieth century civilisation! With nations again arming to the teeth it looks like a return to the days of barbarism. But this should not occur; it must not occur and I believe the greatest hope that war may not occur tor a long period "Will depand on Britain’s efficiency in the air, army and navy. When Britain it' properly equipped in these services she will then hold the balance ,of of power and we shall find that countries disposed to war will thiMt' twice before engaging in it, not knowing on which side Britain will shrow her might.”