OUTLOOK IN EUROPE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 July 1938, Page 4

OUTLOOK IN EUROPE

ADDRESS BY DR. BARRER. , BRITAIN’S CURRENT POLICY. A lucid survey of events leading up to the present complex political situation in Europe was given last night by Dr. R. M. Barrer, formerly of Masterton, who has been studying at Cambridge University for the past six years, in an address to the Masterton Y.M.C.A. Optimist Club last night. Dr. Barrer traced the growth of the three major totalitarian states —Italy, Germany and Russia — and referred to the characteristics of their leaders and people. The German people were fond of regimentation, said Dr. Barrer, and therefore Nazism would probably be successful. On the other hand, the •Italians were a more peace-loving people, bound together only by a great leader, Mussolini.

Dealing with the recent history of Germany, Dr. Barrer outlined the various steps that nation had taken towards the unity of its people. Firstly, there was the denunciation of the Treaty of Versailles, followed by the occupation of the Rhineland. Only a few months ago Germany had annexed Austria. On the night of the coup, said Dr. Barrer, the British Broadcasting Commission did not close down at all, but broadcast hourly news bulletins, which made very interesting hearing. All sorts of rumours were current at the lime, said Dr. Barrer, some of them true and some of them not. Serious as the position was, however, the English people were not prepared to go to war on that account. Germany, also, seeing that the Czechs were going to put up a fight, was not prepared to continue with what would surely lead to a European conflict. Referring to recent developments in Spain, Dr. Barrer said that, in his opinion, Franco’s Government if it gained control, would have perhaps a better chance of keeping the country in order than the present Government would. _

Dr. Barrer then went on to outline the main points of British policy, under Mr Neville Chamberlain. Firstly, there was the “Hyde Park” policy, freedom of speech for the people. Britain, also, did not mind other nations talking, as long as they did nothing to violate her position. Secondly, there was the policy of “sitting on the fence” and not committing herself. Thirdly, Britain strove at all times to postpone dangerous crises, and to settle difficulties by mediation. On the motion of Optimist A. E. Bate, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Dr. Barrer for his interesting address.-