WORLD UNREST

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19886, 15 May 1936, Page 7

WORLD UNREST

THE BRITISH POLICY

OUTLINED BY MR BALDWIN. ACTIVITIES FOR WORLD PEACE] I 7(omcinl Wireless.) (Hercived May 15, 1.0 p.m.) RUGBY, May H. The Frlme Mlnlster (Mr Stanley Baldwln), devoted to lorelgn afialre the prlnc‘lpal pane of a speech he dellvered to a gathering of Conservative women n. ma Albert Hall.

He reminded the eudlenee. “I am not a dletelor, I have to rely on reason," and he went on to comment that one thlno would strlke the hle‘orlan of the future —namely. “that. wherever you found In the world lo—dey the create". measure of oonetltutlonel steb‘lllty, there you found the most complete freedom of crltlolam of the Government."

Turning to the anxieties of recent months and the discussions in Parlia—ment and in the country generally, on foreign atTairs and the League of Na—tions, Mr Baldwin said for the first time there had been a clear apprecia—tion of what the League membership meant and involved. That in itself was a good thing. Objects of Foreign Policy. Reacting the preamble of the League Covenant, the Prime Minister said: “ Those objects are still the aim of our foreign policy, and if Europe is to be preserved then they must be the aim of the foreign policy of all nations, but a diillcult question was to determine what were the best and most prac—tical means of achieving those aims "\Vhat 1 always said before this crisis,” said Mr Baldwin, "1 repeat now: it‘ you llnd that the instrument will not do what you want, it does not mean that what you desire is impos—sible of achievement. What it does mean is that you and all l-hose who used that instrument without success must sit down and examine the instru—ment, modify it. strengthen it, alt-er it, and embody in it, it' you can, such changes as will make it effective [or your purpose. “I would say here that probably at the assembly ‘in the autumn of the League the members wlll have to consider what, If any, changes are necessary In the League, and I hope that any changes that may be found helpful in inducing those nations which are outside the League to come into it, if any such changes can be seen to'be feasible, will be con—sidered with all sincerity and with every desire to make the League at last what it was hoped to he at the beginning—a universal League.“ Halo-Abyssinian Dispute. Regarding the Halo—Ethiopian (lis—pute Mr Baldwin said that acting from no personal feelings 'but from a desire to fulfil its oncnant obligations the British Government had tried to be a good League member, and hurt done more than anyone else. Therefore he was not disposed, and did not intend, to accept the blame for the fact that those efforts had failed to prevent war or to materially affect the progress of hostilities in the Halo—Ethiopian dis—nute.

The Government had been prepared, it necessary, logo the whole length to which the sanctions would have led them it the other Powers in the League had been ready lo accompany them, but experience has made it plain that to be effective in promoting the peace of Europe and the world they must have secured the safety or their own land, people and Empire, and therefore must proceed to remedy the dellcioncies in defence. It was no gbod maklng up their mlnds to take nfiectlve action In support. of the League unless they were In a posltlon to take It. It was no good deciding on economic and tlnancial sanctions it" they were not. going to back them up. Military sanctions were an essential part. of collective security. ‘ " We will try out collective security as far as we can all go together, but I for one will not despair it‘ on this occasion, it fails. We shall try again.“ Are the Natlons Ready? “The question is: Are the nations of Europe ready to play their part, hecnusc in collective security there can he no limilt'd liability and no sleeping pau'lnvrshiim. Llollcclive security does not mean that, all work is to be done liy the British Navy for other llillitll‘lh,"

’i‘iiu Prime Minister concluded by declaring that lllu wz'li-buiug vi the British people depended upon the pom-c ui' la‘uropc and the world. 150— iulion was impossibly. Nu responsible [)Cl'fiull i'uuld helium: that Briluin, any more than France ur Germany, could remain indifferent. to tilt: fate of any of “UP uuiglibours.