BRITISH POLICY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 March 1939, Page 8

BRITISH POLICY

ON MAJOR INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

ONLY POSSIBLE LINE TAKEN according to lord HALIFAX. AVOIDING EUROPEAN WAR. (British Official Wireless, ■ (Received This Day, 12.35 p.m.) RUGBY, March 13. Lord Halifax, speaking at Sunderland, expressed the considered opinion that there had been no occasion during the past few years when British policy on a major international issue could have followed a different line from the one it had followed without grave risk of leading to a major European war. . The Foreign Minister spoke strong!} of the suggestion that Britain’s action regarding Minorca constituted intervention in the Spanish civil war. It was nothing of the sort, he said. The invitation to facilitate discussion between the opposing sides was a tribute to British impartiality and Britain acted as it did .to save human life. Lord Halifax added that recognition of General Franco did not mean approval of the form of government recognised. General Franco’s Government commanded the allegiance of a great majority of the inhabitants of Spam and thus was the authority with which other governments must have °®cia contacts. Britain, Lord Halifax added, while steadfastly for peace, would continue to take whatever steps were necessary to give the country strength and self-confidence, as the circumstances demanded.

RUMOURS DENOUNCED APPEAL TO PRESS AND PEOPLE. DANGERS OF DISTORTION OF NEWS. By Telegraph—Press Association -Copyright. (Received This Day, 12.40 P-m.) LONDON, March 13. Lord Halifax, in the course, of his speech, said it was not surprising that many nerves were taut and overstrained. Events occurring in some parts of Europe are represented as a crisis, regardless of whether they concern us or not, he added. The air is constantly filled also with sensational rumours of> what is going to happen, and some take little trouble to distinguish between fact and fiction. Maybe it suits some people to propagate rumours and spread distorted views. This means that heavy responsibility .is laid on the Press, perhaps heavier here than other countries, owing to our freedom. I appeal to both those who write and read the newspapers to weigh carefully all reports of the alleged intentions of foreign Governments. A distorted or sensational presentation of foreign news is not only dangerous in itself, but tends to defeat the purposes we all have at heart.” . , Lord Halifax added that in regard to the decline in shipbuilding, the Government was considering the question of reserve tonnage in the event of an emergency.