NEW PEER.
LEAGUE ENTHUSIAST.
Britain's Policy Stated ByLord Cushen<kvu
UNRATIFIED PROTOCOL.
(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, November 17. In the House of Lords, Lord Cushendun (formerly Mr. Ronald McNeill), who has succeeded Tiscomnt Cecil as Britain's representative to the League of Nations, replied to the demand of Lord Parmoor for information about the Government's policy on League questions.
He said he was a whole-hearted believer in, and supporter of, the League. The Government had not yet drafted any instructions for the guidance of ics representatives at the next Geneva Conference, but matters were still uaficv consideration.
Regarding the reference by Lord Pa*? moor to the principle* embodied in the Protocol of 1924, Lord Cushendun recalled that that instrument was never signed, and he denied that its principles had been universally accepted. The Protocol offered to a large number of States what they were all anxiou# for, nanely, the guarantee of British pow«r. That involved a degree of riafc ud commitment which no Britiah Government would accept. The present Government would not accept the terrible ride.
In replying to Lord Pai mow*6 question whether the Government were prepared to adopt an optional clause of the International Court, Lord Cushendun said that Dominion opinion was strong and empnatic against the acceptance (\ the clause. Acceptance would mean the abolition of the hitherto accepted saving clause.
As to the vital interests of honour and independence, he doubted whether public opinion in this country would tolerate laying down in advance that under no conceivable circumstances, foreseen or unforeseen, could any disputes arise which this country would not be ready to submit to arbitration. This country was distinguished from most others by the enormous complexity of its government system and its material interest* interests.
He assured Lord Parmoor that the Government thoroughly accepted his view of the inseparability of security, arbitration and disarmament as a means •
of securing peace.
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Bibliographic details
Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 273, 18 November 1927, Page 7
Word Count
312NEW PEER. Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 273, 18 November 1927, Page 7
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