FOREIGN POLICY

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 419, 28 April 1937, Page 6

FOREIGN POLICY

GUIDING PRINCIPLES Mr Eden’s Busy Life Speaking at. Aberdeen last month Mr Anthony Eden, British Secretary jf S ate for Foreign Affairs, <b scribed' the life of a Foreign Secretary as ‘giving little leisure to sit in ran armchair and reflect on the course of events. ’’ “The mas s of information,” he said, ‘which reaches the Foreign Office every day i* truly formidable. There can. be few happenings of importance on the earth's surface that have not some concern for us. “There are all kinds of decisions to be taken quickly, some, of which, though email in themselves, may have important consequences. Hence it is essential to keep a few broad and simple considerations constantly in mind. “FjrEt and foremost, under a system of representative government, the foreign policy I advocate must be such as is likely to be endorsed by the good sense of the nation. “No policy in this country can pos> Sibly succe d if it is in sharp conflict with the moral standards of the people. Differ as we may on otir own domestic affairs,, we should aim in cur foreign relations at the gre latest common measure of agreement in the nation. Any other practice is not ou?j? injurious to ourselves but misleading to others’ who may be tempted to exploit oijr differences with one another on foreign affairs. Why Britain is Rearming. “It should be the 4ja.sk of the Foreign Secretary to seek to conduct th. a foreign policy of the nation so as to •'emove this temptation and to present so far as he can a united front al home.” Mr Eden said that foreign affairs would be one of the major subjects f,or discussion by the Imperial Conference to take place immediately after the Coronation. The. scale of Britain’s rearmament was due partly .to her having let her defences fall below normal standard in the hope of an agreed reduction and limitation. “It is in my yiep, l a grave misfortune that these hopes were not realised/’ he said. “It. is, however, of no use to recriminate over the past. Mistakes were no doubt miade, and it would be unfair to attempt to lay the. blame for faillire upon any particular country. I “To that failure has to be added | the League’s failure in the Abyssin- | ten dispute with it s inevitable reper- • missions on international confidence.” I The small nations welcomed Bii. I tain’s plans, he added, because it was appreciated that .they were intend d for her own defence and for the fulfilment of her o*wn commitments. Of the United States Mr Eden said: “When we look fait the troubled stale of the world .to-day it is a comforting thought that over the vast area where the United States flag flits ,there is a great and peace-loving and progressive influence at work.”