NOT COMMITTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 172, 23 July 1929, Page 7

NOT COMMITTED.

RHINE EYACUATION.

Britain Retains Liberty To Withdraw Troops.

CONFERENCE OF POWERS

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received 12.30 p.m.)

RUGBY, July 22

# Mr. Henderson, Foreign Secretary, was asked in the House of Commons whether the Government was bound by the undertaking given by the late Government in regard to the proposed Committee of Verification and Conciliation in connection with the evacuation of the Rhineland.

He replied that His Majesty's Government, as well as the French, German, Belgian, Italian and Japanese Governments, were committed by the decision taken at Geneva last September to the principle of the proposed commission. The composition, operations, object and duration of the commission were, however, matters which would form the subject of negotiations on these points. His Majesty's Government had not committed 'themselves and did not propose to commit themselves until the conference met. The meeting place of the forthcoming conference on reparations was still under consideration between the Governments concerned. Mr. Henderson stated that he hoped a definite decision was now imminent. Asked whether the Government were prepared to treat the question of the evacuation of the Rhineland independently of the question of reparations, Mr. Henderson said the Government retained complete liberty to withdraw the British troops if, and when, it seemed expedient to do so.