The Waikato Times SATURDAY, JULY 31, 1937. DEFENCE POLICY.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20260, 31 July 1937, Page 6

The Waikato Times SATURDAY, JULY 31, 1937. DEFENCE POLICY.

Among the vital questions discussed at the recent Imperial Conference was that of defence. Fortunately in the opinion of all the delegates it was purely one of defence, because no nation regards British armaments as a menace to its freedom, and not long ago a British statesman said that the people would not tolerate any act of aggression on the part of the Government. In this matter, as perhaps in no other, the wishes of people and Parliament are one, and, further, the desires of all the units of the Empire are as one. No nation had made such persistent efforts to further the acceptance of a measure of disarmament, and, in order to prove their sincerity, the British leaders reduced the defence services to a level that, comparatively speaking, was dangerous. The other States did not follow the lead given, and in the last two years a marked change has come over the scene. Germany has re-armed, at colossal cost, Italy talks of olive branches growing from the bayonets of some millions of soldiers, Japan has refused to continue the naval agreement reaohed at Washington in 1922, and to-day the race for re-armament is greater than ever.

Those responsible for the security of their countries have to face facts, unpleasant though they may be, and it is evident that Mr Savage has been deeply impressed by the attitude and the policy of the British Government. If the leaders of some nations continue to glorify war, and to preach the old Bemhardi doctrine that national greatness oan be won in no other way, then the only possible course for the nations of goodwill is to build up their defences to a point where aggression will involve too great a risk for the filibuster in the international sphere. The position was stated plainly by the Prime Minister on his return to the Dominion. “We saw no alternative in the existing state of the world, and we felt that there could be no final end to the miseries of war until, those nations that loved peace had made it abundantly clear that they were- determined to maintain it, if necessary by force.” The British Empire must be the rallying ground of the nations of goodwill, and the power to mobilise not only armaments but also economic resources must be such that the aggressor will hesitate about making his challenge.

The Prime Minister evidently expressed his willingness to cooperate in any Empire movement designed to ensure reasonable protection. He said New Zealand recognised that it was concerned not only with the defence of its own shores and people, but also with the defence of the Empire as a whole. The fate of any unit may be decided in distant theatres of war, but, if there is close co-opera-tion, a co-ordination of the defence forces, a common defence policy, then the possibility of danger will be removed to some extent. The need for expenditure on armaments will be regretted. This lavish preparation, as Earl Baldwin said, sometimes makes one think that he is living in a mad world. But progress towards disarmament cannot be ensured until all the leading nations agree to act in concert. If one persists in maintaining and extending armaments then an insuperable barrier is erected. It is known that any move to establish the reign of law instead of force in international affairs will have the support of the British Empire, but, until that day comes, the nations that desire peace and security must make what they regard as suitable provision for the defence of their territory.