EX-ENEMY SUBJECTS’ PROPERTY

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 56, 29 November 1929, Page 11

EX-ENEMY SUBJECTS’ PROPERTY

HEATED DEBATE IN HOUSE OF LORDS GOVERNMENT’S ACTION ASSAILED (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) ( Rec. November 28, 9.45 p.m.) London, November 27. In the House of Lords, Lord Buckmaster heatedly again directed attention to the confiscation of ex-enemy subjects’ property. “I have trie ' to see the thing from every viewpoint, but 1 cannot see any which is not reflecting deep and indelible disgrace on this coantry. If we attack the whole nation the latter can defend itself, but we selected a few people whose only crime was that they belonged to a conquered race and stripped them as bare of property as the Bolsheviks did Russia.’’ Lord Parmoor (Lord President of the Council) said doubtless there were hard cases, but Lord Buckmaster had grossly’exaggerated the seriousness of the position, and used language bound to create Anglo-German friction. Mr. Snowden had most clearly explained why the claims could not be reopened. Lord Banbury for the first time in a lifetime believed the Socialist Government had done the right thing. Lord Darling said the Government had in nowise broken its contract. Mr. Snowden had put the legal position unassailably. The Government might be generous as well as just in hard cases.

Lord Buckmaster said he was amazed at the change in Lord Parmoor’s tone on the subject since he was in opposition. “My words may be uncomfortable, but they at least are unalterable.” The discussion ended.