OTHER SPEECHES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 April 1938, Page 7

OTHER SPEECHES

FOREIGN TALKS DEFENDED DANGERS OF DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE. CERTAIN PRELUDE TO WAR. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, April 9. Speaking at Plymouth, the Secretary of State for Dominion Affairs, Mr Malcolm MacDonald, said they could not exclude from the circle of nations any nation at all, however much they might disagree with its domestic or international policy. It was for that reason that the National Government some time ago had opened conversations with two Powers in Europe, with whom there had been great differences of opinion. The Government maintained its belief in the real universality of the League, as a great hope for international peace, and was endeavouring to restore international co-operation on a really comprehensive basis.

The Government believed that it was still possible for those who had differences to sit down and reach agreement by negotiation instead of by force. That was why Britain was starting discussions with Germany, which had been violently interrupted and discussions with Italy, which were progressing somewhat more satisfactorily. It did not mean that the Government had started these discussions because it was weak or timid. It was taking that way because the Government was sane. But if war came Britain had almost immeasurable financial resources and defence forces quite adequate to preserve her position and honour.

Speaking at Shoreham-by- Sea, the Earl of Winterton said the object of the Government’s foreign policy was to promote peace and reconciliation among the nations of the world and to try to find a solution of the grave differences .which undoubtedly existed between not only the Government but the people of Britain and certain great Powers abroad. It was becoming very clear that the. Socialists and Liberal Opposition believed quite sincerely that an alliance between what they called the democratic Powers —France, Russia and ourselves —against the Fascist Powers, by which they meant Germany, Italy and Japan, should be formed. Such an alliance would be certain to be a prelude to eventual war on an allEuropean scale. Far better was it for us to work for appeasement, while continuing to act in closest contact with our nearest neighbour and friend, France, which, in spite of great difficulties, possessed in her soil and the mass of her people a wonderful combination of strength and virility, and, like us, wished only to live her , own life in peace, under a democratic constitution.

Commenting on speeches by Mr Chamberlain and Lord Halifax, “The Times” says: “British foreign policy is founded upon certain specific obligations and certain principles, both clearly defined, and the authoritative expositions which it has received within the past few weeks have left it clear enough that the sense of responsibility which holds the British Government to its search for settlement is no mark of irresolution.” GATHERINGS IN LONDON DEMONSTRATORS CONDEMN NON-INTERVENTION. SWASTIKA UNPOPULAR. By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. (Recd This Day, 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, April 10. A big demonstration in Hyde Park, addressed by Mr C. R. Attlee, Sir Stafford Cripps, Mr C. Greenwood and other speakers, passed a resolution condemning non-intervention in Spain. A crowd at one meeting charged a smart blonde wearing the Swastika. The police formed a cordon and placed the girl and her male escort aboard a bus. A crowd attacked a group carrying a swastika flag. The police rescued the group, one of whom was injured in the head. Mounted and foot police took an hour to clear the scene.