PEER TAKEN TO TASK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 7, 9 January 1937, Page 9

PEER TAKEN TO TASK.

Viscount Elibank and Return Of German Colonies. OPINION IN THE DOMINIONS. (Received n a.m.) LONDON, January 8. "I make no claim to know better than Sir George Pearce, Federal Minister, what popular opinion in Australia is regarding the Commonwealth being prepared to assist in settling this very vexed question—whether to hand back or otherwise German New Guinea to Germany in a comprehensive scheme under which other colony-owning nations would do their part," declared V iscount Elibank when the Australian Associated Press showed him Sir George Pearce's criticism of the statement made by Lord Elibank that he thought the people of Australia and New Zealand favoured the return of German colonies

"I only stated a general impression I gained on my recent three weeks' visit to Australia," he added. "In any event I hope Sir George Pearce read my letter in full before finally advising the Commonwealth to turn down my proposals."

Lord Elibank's letter, published in "The Times" recently, drew the ire of Sir George Pearce, who said that "the Commonwealth Government knew more about Australian opinion that did Lord Elibank, who had spent only a few days travelling in the country." Sir George added that it would not be correct to say that Australia did not feel very strongly about the return of German New Guinea, against which Australian opinion was definitely and absolutely set.

Lord Elibank bad suggested in hie letter that lie found in Australia, New Zealand | and Canada the general opinion that the German colonial claims could be met, and that it would be folly to risk another European war through not dealing with them. He said: "I believe that if the peace of Europe was at stake New Zealand would not feel very strongly about the return of Samoa, or Australia about Xew Guinea. Japan might even be persuaded to return some of the mandated islands in the Pacific, while Holland has huge undeveloped areas in Xew Guinea, and might be able to help. Portugal also has territories, whose inhabitants need not suffer by a change of mastership." Lord Elibank concluded by suggesting that a committee of experts be established by the colony-owning nations to consider the matter.