We know that its use threatens the existence of man and civilization as we know it. We are told that there is no effective protection against the hydrogen bomb and that millions of people may be exterminated by a single explosion and many more injured, and perhaps still many more condemned to slow death, or to live under the shadow of the fear of disease and death. There can be little doubt about the deep and widespread concern in world, particularly among peoples, about these weapons and their dreadful consequences. But concern is not enough. Fear and dread do not lead to constructive thought or effective courses of action.
Panic is no remedy against disaster of any kind, present or potential.
Mankind has to awaken itself to the reality and face the situation with determination and assert itself to avert calamity. The general position of this country in this matter has been repeatedly stated and placed beyond all doubt. It is up to us to pursue as best we can the objective we seek. We have advocated the prohibition of such weapons, by common consent, and immediately by agreement amongst those concerned, which latter is at present the only effective way to bring about their abandonment. The House will, no doubt, recall the successive attempts made by us at the United Nations to secure the adoption of this view and approach.