NOT TO BE DIVERTED

Wairarapa Times-Age, 4 July 1938, Page 7

NOT TO BE DIVERTED

BRITISH PRIME MINISTER DEFENDS HIS POLICY

No Protection for Ships in Spanish Territorial Waters OWNERS CHARGING VERY HIGH FREIGHTS By Telegraph.—Press Association.—Copyright. LONDON, July 3. At a mass meeting at Kettering today the Prime Minister Mr Chamberlain, referring to the bombing of British ships in Spanish waters, said that shipowners were getting fourfold or fivefold the ordinary freight rates for the shipment of goods to Spanish Government ports. After giving a warning that the Government could not protect ships in Spanish territorial waters, Mr Chamberlain added that the Governmen would'be betraying its trust if it took action that might involve war This did not mean the condonation of the bombings or the recognition of an aerial blockade of Spanish Government ports. , Mr Chamberlain said that it was difficult to reconcile General Francos explanations with some of the facts, but it was possible that the airmen did not always adhere to their instructions. “I im not going to be diverted from the policy I believe to be right,” he said, “by ill-natured and illinformed criticism, but I regret that the Opposition is creating the impression abroad of national disunity. “I do not believe,” concluded Mr Chamberlain, “that the country desires to adopt a challenging and aggressive attitude instead of seeking peace, but if there is no other way of preserving our freedom we will fight again.