LORDS DEBATE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 281, 27 November 1931, Page 7

LORDS DEBATE.

EMPIRE SOLIDARITY. 1

Imperial Statute Under

Discussion.

TRUSTING IRELAND.

(British Official Wireless^'

(Eeceived 1.30 p.m.y

RUGBY, November 26,

In the House of Lords the Earl of Salisbury said he regretted the introduction of the Statute of Westminster at the present time. It was full of restrictions, except for the Irish. Free State, but in view of the assurances contained in President Cosgrave's letter and Mr. Stanley Baldwin's speech in the' House of Commons, he would not support any amendment to the bill. \ Lord Buckmaster said it was the gravest mistake to embody in an Act of Parliament rules binding the component parts of the Empire. Bather was it preferable to allow the growth of independent life throughout the Empire, without defining the relationships in unyielding legislation. He regretted that the House had always approached the subject of Ireland suspiciously. The only way to see Ireland become a strong part of the Empire was to trust her. Lord Stonehaven urged the 'wisdom of passing the bill. Previously, the Viscount Elibank had submitted a motion expressing the opinion that, in view of the distress caused by the economic position throughout the Empire, the Economic Conference at Ottawa should be held at the earliest possible moment. He urged that Britain's first step toward inter-Imperial agreements should be to grant the Dominions a comprehensive measure of preference. That would achieve not only ecpnomic unity, but a solution of all the problems dividing the Empire. Lord Strathcona said the Government was using the utmost efforts to make the Ottawa, Conference a success. No earlier, date than July would suit all the Dominions. The consultations with the Dominions, to be held by the Dominions Secretary, Mr. J. H. Thomas, would greatly facilitate the task of the conference.

Lord Elibank's motion was withdrawn,