Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1939. UNDERSTANDING AND PEACE.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 February 1939, Page 6

Wairarapa Times-Age THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 1939. UNDERSTANDING AND PEACE.

ALTHOUGH it was avowedly an appeal for understanding between jiiftions. as a means of ending the present ruinous expenditure on armaments and averting the menace of war, the speech of the British Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain), in the House of Commons on Tuesday, was marked by an absence of positive quality not in itself well calculated either to inspire confidence or to promote understanding. Mr Chamberlain suggested that “the vast competitive rearmament confronting the nations of the world was perhaps the result of misunderstanding” and appealed to the Opposition to do nothing to increase such misunderstanding by captions criticism or suspicion. What are the misunderstandings to ■which the British Prime Minister referred and what are the suspicions that he thinks might increase these misunderstandings? The German and Italian dictatorships are not suspected of having trampled on liberty and engaged in wanton aggression within and beyond their own territories. It is known that they have done these things. If Air Chamberlain’s suggestion lias any meaning, it implies that the democracies and the totalitarian dictatorships are alike and in common the victims of misunderstanding. That suggestion, however, if it is made, is preposterous. Does any sane human being believe that Germany and Italy are arming on their present scale because they fear that if they did not they would be attacked by Britain, France, or Russia, or by a, combination of these Powers? The British Prime Minister undermined his own leading contention -when he said, regarding a conference on the limitation or reduction of armaments, that he-felt that before it was possible to anticipate success from such a conference we must be sure that those who come to it would come with good will and with determination to produce the desired results. I do not feel that we have this confidence established yet to make that conference a practical proposition at this moment. It is certainly not of Britain or of France that Air Chamberlain entertains these doubts and probably it is not, of Russia. Obviously it is the German and Italian dictatorships, engaging deliberately in provocation and aggression in the hope of gain, and pouring ridicule on ideals of peace and of collective security, who make it impossible for the time being to contemplate calling a conference on the limitation or reduction of armaments. Nothing is likely to be gained by attempting to gloss over these ugly facts with soft talk about misunderstanding. The position as it stands is defined only-too clearly and understood only too well. Against the realities of the existing situation, Air Chamberlain’s speech must be classed as strangely negative—an unconvincing attempt to escape in generalities from the issues that are really raised at this time. Instead of talking vaguely and unconvincingly about an alleged misunderstanding, he might have told the totalitarian dictatorships that it was open to them to make a most helpful contribution to understanding and peace by terminating their aggression in Spain and by an abandonment of Italy’s attempt, with German backing, to blackmail France. The suspicion widely prevalent that the dictatorships intend to pursue these projects and others is not an invention of captious critics, but is based on direct observation of the course the dictatorships have followed and are following. The one note of strength in an otherwise inconclusive speech was Air Chamberlain’s declaration that: “I cannot consent that we should relax our armaments in any degree until we can do so by a general agreement with others who will do the same.” The best hope the present situation holds no doubt is that indicated by Air Winston Churchill when he urged that the 'democracies must continue on the road of achieving strength and multiplying deterrents against aggression. It is possible that in this way war may be avoided and an approach made to the negotiation of a firm and dependable peace.

NEED OF BETTER BATHS. regards both the state of’ the pool and lite accommodation for spectators, lhe Dixon Street Baths fall sadly short, of reasonably meeting the requirements of a progressive town of the size of •Masterton. The inadequacy of the establishment was made particularly manifest on the occasion of the swimming sports held on Tuesday evening as one of the fixtures of Keep Fit Week. The poor and makeshift character of the accommodation provided was in striking contrast to the keen interest in lhe sport of swimming shown by both competitors and spectators. Although extra seating accommodation had been provided, people had to stand at both ends and on one side of the bath and even the roofs of the dressing sheds were occupied by small boys as “circle seats,’’ Those in charge of the sports were handicapped severely by the crowded state of Hie enclosure, spectators standing even on the diving standards and platforms. In view of the important place that swimming takes among health-giving sports, and as a means at times of saving life, the people of Masterton surely would not be guilty of any extravagance in determining io provide themselves with up-to-date public swimming baths—a tiled pool of adequate size provided with satisfactory dressing accommodation and seating space for gala occasions. Taking account, too, of our variable climate, it is probably desirable that the baths should be covered in, though it would lie advantageous to have lhe roof of a type that could be opened up in tine weather. The installation of a heating plant is also worth going into, since lhe provision of a tepid bath would enable swimmers to pursue their sport all the year round.

Public opinion in favour of the establishment of up-to-date baths has so far made itself felt that the Borough Council has taken Hie matter up and is understood io have plans and proposals under consideration. Exactly what the council proposes to do and when it proposes to do it has yet to be made clear, however. The present lime appears to be opportune for bringing the p.roject to a head. The Government is interesting itself actively in the promotion of healthy sport and apparently is prepared to subsidise undertakings like the construction of modern swimming baths. That apart, however, evidence of a sufficient public demand for this amenity no doubt would induce the council to take action. A popular movement to that end perhaps might bo launched before Keep Fit. Week ends. A petition or memorial might be addressed to the council on the subject of new baths. If it were largely.signed, and particularly if its signatories included a due proportion of ratepayers, a document of the kind no doubt would carry a great deal of weight with our municipal representatives.