FOREIGN POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 230, 28 September 1936, Page 9

FOREIGN POLICY.

N.Z.'S GENEVA VOICE. BRITAIN EMBARRASSED. MR. DOIDGE ON SANCTIONS. An emphatic denial that he had made an unwarranted .attack on Mr. W. J. Jordan, as Mr. Osborne had stated, was given by Mr. F. W. Doidge, National candidate for Manukau, when addressing a large audience at Oneliunga on Saturday night. Mr. Doidge said his accusation was made because of the views he held on the foreign policy of New Zealand's Socialist Government. "Never once have I attacked Mr. Jordan personally," he said. "On the contrary, I have never failed to pay tribute to his high qualities as a politician and a man. The thousands of people who have heard me speak during this campaign know that to be true."

Mr. Doidge continued: "I have attacked the policy of the Government and the policy which Mr. Jordan is forced to pursue as the instrument of that Government. Every thinking man and woman knows that the foreign policy of our Socialist- Government is one which is causing the deepest embarrassment to the British Foreign Office. The Home Government has repudiated the policy of sanctions. Sanctions mean war. The New Zealand Government has committed itself to a policy of sanctions. Mr. Jordan is being forced to the pursuit of a line of policy which cuts right across British foreign policy. It is preposterous to suggest that the people of New Zealand support the Socialist Government in such action. It is the aim of Mr. Anthony Eden to rebuild the League of Nations. It is his ardent desire to bring Italy back into the League. The foreign Ministers of both Britain and France are doing everything in their power to bring Ttaly back into the fold. " Slimming the Door." "At Geneva, Mr. Jordan, acting as the instrument of New Zealand's Socialist Government, was forced to take precipitate action, which resulted in definitely slamming the door in Italy's face. That was done despite the desire of Britain and France. It was done with the support of Bolshevik Russia, and of minor and insignificant Powers. I am asked by my opponent to declare myself in favour of Italy or Abyssinia. I say without hesitation that it is an imperative necessity that Italy be Drought back into friendship with Britain, and back into the League. For 100 years Italy was Britain's best friend in Europe. In Italy there are 60 millions of Christian people. Abyssinia is a barbarous country—the last stronghold of slavery. Italy will now release more than a million slaves <)n Abyssinia. "The transcendent desire of the British people is for peace. I have pleaded the cause of peace fioin every platform. It is ridiculous for my opponent to declare me a protagonist of war." Speakers in support of Mr. Doidge were Colonel J. Hargest, M.P. for Awarua, Mr. W. A. Bodkin, M.P. fpr Otago Central, and members of the Junior National League.

At the conclusion there were cheers for Mr. Doidge, while a Labour section of the audience replied with cheers for Mr. Osborne.