AGREEMENT STANDS

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 96, 18 January 1924, Page 7

AGREEMENT STANDS

LIBERALS AND LABOUR WILL 'EJECT ,'i GOVERNMENT ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE SPEECHES FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC POLICY There has been no modification of the Liberal-Labour agreement to oust the Baldwin Government. During the Address-in-Reply debate, the Labour leader made an appeal for fair play in the work of Government, in which Mr. Lloyd George wished him well. A statement on foreign affairs was made by the Foreign Under-Secretary, with special reference to the Separatist movement in Germany,

By Telegraph—Press A ssociation. -Copyright. '

London, January 16. Th© moderation and essentially liberal complexion of the Speech from the Throne has done nothing to modify the tacit Liberal-Labour agreement to eject the Government. A number ci back-bench Liberals have lodged a separate amendment, mentioning unem- ■ pioyment and Protection and the Gov- ' eminent’s international and domestic policy. This amendment, however, is unlikely to be reached. Conservative commentators are now resigned to the inevitable. Evon the forlorn campaign in favour of LiberalConservative cot-operation has now flickered out. The Labour organ expresses impatience at the large number of Liberals who insist on talking on the amendment, thus delaying Mr. MacDonald’s advent, to power, but the Liberal papers unanimously embrace the Labour amendment as a suitable instrument rci inflicting the quietus on Mr. Baldwin, and dwell on the potentialities of long life for a. Labour Government, provided the national welfare is not subordinated to tactical niceties. There is a suggestion of mutiny In the ranks of Labour in a separate amendment moved by five Clyde Labour members, referring to the millions of workers on the verge of starvation. ■ .Lobby correspondents unanimously forecast a Government defeat on J anuary 22, followed by an adjournment of several weeks to enable Cabinet to pick up the threads. —Reuter. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY DEBATE LABOUR LEADER APPEALS \ FOR FAIR PLAY ( FUTURE CONSERVATIVE ; ATTITUDE ■ London, January 16. 'fn the House of Commons, Mr. Mitchell Banks (C., Swindon), in moving the Address-in-Reply, opened with a reference to the resolutions of the Imperial Conference. These, he said, did, in some sort, constitute an obligation towards the Dominions. Lord Apsley (C., Southampton' seconded the motion. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald (Leader of the Labour Party) described the King’s Speech as a curious miscellaneous collection of odds and ends, many of them items borrowed from th® Labour programme. He said that the prospect of a change of Government had done more to bring the influence of Britain into the minds of dominant Continental statesmen than twelve months of the last, Government. The state of ) Europe was far nearer what it was in 1914 than anyone cared to think about, with rival armies and rival nationalist policies, and nations tnat were Allies glaring at each other m only semi-concealed hostility. He urged the necessity of bringing the solemn influence of Britain to bear in order that a new leaf might be turned. He advocated a more skilful Handling of ■diplomacy, and, at the same time, a friendly but firm and emphatic assertion of our own interests. MINISTERS* PLEDGES. He protested against the doctrine that Parliament was under an obligation to carry out the decisions of the Imperial Conference as being subversive of the rights of self-government, which we would never surrender. Every pledge given by Ministers at the Imperial Conference that matters should be brought before the House of Commons, and would be fulfilled to the last letter. The fact that the Government told the conference that they intended to submit the preference proposals to Parliament surely meant that Parliament was absolutely free to carry or reject these proposals. He contended that the Government’s proposals to tax food for the purpose of Dominion preference was a very funda- | mental departure from the existing fiscal system, which constituted another re?son for refusing the Government confidence. He inquired pointedly whether or not Mr. Baldwin had abandoned his protection policy. I MINORITY GOVERNMENT. Mr. MacDonald said that he was not Bure that he was sorry that no party had a majority, because he was not at all sure that the practical working out of minority Government might not be a good exercise for the independent intelligence of members of all parties. He urged that in the unparralleled political situation, the House should not merely pursue old-fashioned party tactics. Jis said that no party could take the responsibility to-day without feeling that ib would rather avoid it if it could, because the state of Europe and affairs'at Home were so bad. But the nation’s Government had got to be carried on. * Ministerial cries: The King’s Governinent, • Mr. MacDonald: Ido not make a distinction of that character. (Labour cheers.) Whoever carried on the Government, under these circumstances, he continued, was entitled to appeal to the fair play and sportsmanlike instincts of Englishmen. So long as they did their duty and helped on the people of the i

country they were entitled to appeal to the suuport of the House. MR. LLOYD CEOhCE SPEAKS. Mi. Lloyd George said that the Dominions had never claimed that any Government had the right to commit the Parliament of Britain to any policy any more than the conference had the right to commit the Parliaments of the Dominions. He was very glad to see Air. Bruce’s speech declaring that he had no grievance against Britain, if Parliament could not honour the Government’s decisions. Jt was also important for the country to realise, as Mr. Bruce said, that preference did not depend entirely on duties. Mr. Lloyd George said tliat he had always thought that more practical advantage could be given to trade with the Dominions by means of improved transport than by duties. He hoped that the next Government would thereby be able to do a great deal with the Dominions. He charged the French with furnishing money to foster the Separatist movement. He predicted that, if the school of French opinion favouring the an.iexation of the Rhineland succeeded, there would be inevitable conflict. He wished Mr. MacDonald well in undertaking Government, and hoped that wTfa-tever Government camo into power it would assert the authority and influence to which the Empire was enSSTIed by its power and sacrifices. PRIME MINISTER SUGGESTS CO-OPERATION. The Prime Minister (Air. S. Baldwin) dealt with the future Conservative attitude. When they relinquished power, he said, they would engage in no factious opposition, but would endeavour to help such causes as unemployment and agriculture. Ho suggested that where none of the three parties could iuTopeiidently govern, a round table confiTi’nce should bo held as regards the agricultural problem, with a view of arriving at some common measure After undertaking to furnish inrormtition on the Rhineland Separatist movement at the earliest available moment, he turned to the question of the Imperial Conference proposals. He thought that Air. iLloyd George had stated the pure gospel of the matter quite correctly, when he declared that any conference resolutions were naturally subject to Parliamentary ratification here as in the Dominions. The position was that it Parliament hart refused to ratify the proposals, he submitted that as Prime Minister he would have had to resign. It might be lack of wisdom, if Parliament later refused to ratify the proposals, but it would be no breach of faith. Mr. Baldwin informed the House that the proposed American Liquor Treaty, on which the principal parties were agreed, was being examined by the Dominions. It provided that the United States should have the right to search to a certain distance outside the three-mile limit, and that British vessels should be permitted to carry sealed liquor into American harbours for use on the return voyage. He dwelt optimistically on the ap pointment of the Allied Expert Committees, which was the first progressive step made in Europe for a whole year, owing to American participation and the means afforded to provide remedial measures for German finances. The House adjourned.—Reuter. FOREIGN POLICY UNDER-SECRETARY IN DEFENCE (Rec. January 17, 9.50 p.m.) London, January 16. The House of Commons was crowded on the resumption of the debate on the Address-in-Reply. A lengthy statement was made by Air. Ronald McNeill (Under-Secretary of Foreign Affairs) in reply to the indictment of the Government’s foreign policy. He pointed out that foreign policy was essentially continuous. If there had been gross mismanagement in the past five years, the Government’s chief critics were most largely responsible. Referring to the 'Tangier convention, he emphasised that’ the agreement secured the permanent neutralisation of Tangier and the maintenance of the open door by establishing an international regime, which would effectually prevent any one Power being predominant. Mr. Lloyd George asked who controlled the port. Air. AlcNeill said that the share capital of the international company would be distributed as _ follows:— France, 30 per cent. ; Britain and Spain, each 20 per cent.; the Shereefinan Government, the international administration and other countries, each 10 per cent. Consequently only 30 per cent, would be in the hands of France. He was confident that the House of Commons would be given an opportunity of discussing agreement if desired. Sir John Ward (Liberal, Stoke-on-Trent). declared that the agreement Practically handed over the port to France. SEPARATIST MOVEMENT. Mr. AlcNeill claimed that the Government had lost no opportunity, to enlist tlie assistance of the United States, or to take any means open them to arrive at a solution of the reparations question. As regards Separatism in the Rhineland, the Government’s attitude had been that they

were unable to sanction any separatism amounting to a declaration of independence by States forming part of the, Reich which would take them outside the Reich, because that would alter the whole situation in regard to tho treaty. But if they wanted, home rule inside the Reich, Britain would not interfere, provided that there was sufficient demonstration that it was tho will of the people themselves. Obviously, in the greater part of the Rhineland Separatist movement had not been spontaneous and owing very largely to the influence of Britain, supported by Belgium, it had come to a natural end, but in Palatinate it had assumed graver proportions. At first it appeared that it might be genuine, but latterly. the Government hart concluded that it was not now genuine, and believed that if it were left to itself it would very soon collapse. The Government had sent Ah'. R. Clive (Consul-General at Munich) to the Palatinate to ascertain the facts. This had caused a certain amount of additional AngloFrench friction, but he hoped that the friction would be soon smoothed over and that Mr. Clive’s report would enable the Government to clearly determine its action.BRITISH PRESTIGE. Air. AlcNeill defended the Government’s policy in regard to . the Ruhr and claimed that those criticising the Government on the ground that British prestige .had been lost were wrong. General Harington had said that British prestige in the Near East was never higher. General Allenby had said the same about Egypt. One .of the Dominion leaders at the Imperial Conference had told him that wherever he went he counted as a Briton. Air. AlacNeill concluded by saying that according to all reports Mr. MacDonald himself was going to the Foreign Office. He confidently predicted that before many months Air. MacDonald would tell the House of Commons that he was completely disillusioned. Replying to Air. .Lloyd George, Air. Neville Chamberlain said that Germany now agreed to give an undertaking for eventual reimbursement, and a German representative was on his way to England to discuss the method. He detailed the steps taken to ensure that big stocks of steel accumulated in the occupied territories, estimated at two to three and a half million tons, should not be disposed of in a way likely to dislocate the markets of the world. A British Commission was proceeding thither, and Britain had suggested the establishment of an inter-Allied disposals board. 'The French had arranged not to license exports exceeding the average rate of export in 1922. Replying to Sir John Simon, Air. Chamberlain said that he-thought that at present reparations in kind wore less than before the occupation of the Ruhr. He was of opinion, in view of M. Poincare’s , assurances that no industrial arrangement between French and German firms had hitherto been made and that the British Government would be given tho fullest chance of expressing its views if an agreement were proposed. 'l’he House adjourned. The Labour no-confidence amendment will be moved to-morrow. A further separate Labour amendment has been put down, fourteen Scottish Labour members demanding Scottish home rule. The amendment is regarded as in the nature of a manifesto, since all Scottish Labour members favour home rule, although the party as a whole has not adopted the policy.—Reuter. FORECAST OF LABOUR POLICY (Rec.. January IS, 1.30 a.m.) London, January 17. The “Daily Telegraph’s” diplomatic correspondent, prognostigating Labour’s foreign policy, expresses tho opinion that it w’ill rely extensively on publicity. Regarding the pacificationand reconstruction of Europe, it will not, he says, be content to criticise the proposals of other Governments, but will itself frame a programme and go boldly to the Allied Governments, particularly France, and declaring tho old controversies should be dropped, ask for whole-hearted collaboration, intimating that should this he refused no complaint need afterwards he made if collaboration is accepted from other quarters. Labour will endeavour to secure by special delegations fuller information of the state of opinion in various countries than is obtainable through the old-tinio diplomatic channels. It is suggested that such delegations while seeking enlightenment, may also convey enlightenment to tho countries visited, where the real facts cf the European situation have been obscured. Briefly, adds tho correspondent, what, is proposed is the application of missionary methods, the effect of which it is difficult to predict.— Aus,-N.Z. Cable Assn. COMMENT ON LABOUR LEADER’S SPEECH London, January 16. “The Times” editorially says: “Air. MacDonald’s speech generally showed a recognition of the serious domestic and international situation, but the accusations of class hatied are ludicrous. No class in the country can fairly be branded with, possessing hatred, which is foreign to British character. It is found in Sorel’s writing and the speeches of those endeavouring to instil it into Air. AlacDonald’s followers.” —“Times.” SOUTH AFRICAN OPINION Cape Town, January 16. The view of the South African Government is that Air. AlacDonald’s resolve to leave his followers free to vote as they please on Air. Baldwin’s preference proposals gets over an awkward difficulty. The constitutional practice is that, if Air. Baldwin is still in power, ho is bound to submit the proposals to Parliament, unless he dissented at the time. This is what General Smuts did regarding the Indians in 1.921 If there is another Government, it is aho bound to give Parliament an opportunity of. assenting or otherwise, as the Government initiates proposals involving taxation, — Sydney “Sun” Cables. WINSTON CHURCHILL TO REJOIN UNIONISTS (Rec. January 18, 1.30 a.in.) London, January 17. It is understood that Air. Winston Churchill proposes to announce rejoining the Unionists to fight Socialism. Ho denounces Air. Asquith and .Mr. Lloyd George for the way they treated him over the election. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. FIRST LABOUR WOMAN TO SPEAK (Rec. January 18, 1.50 a.m.) [ ondon, January 17. Among the many maiden speeches in the House of Commons, the greatest interest wan shown in Miss Susan

Lawrence’s. She is the first Labour woman heard in the British Parliament, which was. deeply impressed. She is slim, grey-haired, and spectacled, and presented an earnest figure as she pleaded the cause' of necessitous school children, and contendgd that the rvholesalc cutting down of. expenditure on children’s meals was illegal. She demanded the opinion of the law officers on the point, and argued that the Board of Education were reactionary in other matters. —Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. UNUSUAL PAGEANT FEATURES THE UNSMILING PRINCE (Rec. January 17, 8.5 p.m.) London, January 16. Three unusual features were noticein connection with the pageant at the openng of Parliament. I’he Prince of Wales sat in a closed carriage with his head buried in his chest, and a Lusby over his eyes, oblivious to the cheers of the crowd, rnd not, as usual, smiling and saluting. There was a strange sight in the Mall, rvhere large numbers of men remained covered while the Xing and Queen passed. A woman poked i ff their hats v.’ith provoking imprecations. Several cases of nerves are reported among officers of the Guards, who are usually patterns of soldierly calmness. An officer got two lines of troops mixed. Ho gave an order for right turn instead of left turn, and ordered the men to form fours before they numbered off. A sergeant hurried to the rescue and audibly/whisjrerod commands, provoking general laughter.—Sydney “Sun” Cable.