FOREIGN POLICY

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 262, 3 August 1939, Page 10

FOREIGN POLICY

Attitude Of Labour Members ATTACKS ON BRITISH STATESMEN Opposition Leader’s Condemnation The attitude of certain members of the Government toward British foreign policy and their criticism of Eno-lish statesmen was condemned Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Hamilton, in 'opening the financial debate in the House of Representatives last night. Those who criticized the decisions made, he said, should be prepared to state and advocate an alternative. “Members of the Government, and some Cabinet Ministers,” said Mr. Hamilton, “have recently developed tiie habit of severely attacking the decision of British statesmen, especially the Prime Minister, Mr. Chamberlain.” The Minister of Public Works, Mr. Semple: Why not? .Mr. Hamilton: I am not objecting to criticism but to attacks. It is evident from the various outbursts of different responsible members of the Government that they do not entertain a very friendly feeling for the British Empire and those who are guiding its destiny. Mr. Semple: That is unfair. Mr. Poison (Opposition, Stratford): It is true. Dangerous Situations. Mr. Hamilton said that though Government- members gave lin service to the advocacy of peace in preference to war, on the two occasions when the British foreign policy led by Mr. Chamberlain had got Britain out of very awkward and dangerous situations, which, if not diplomatically handled, had all the appearance of resulting in war, the Labour Party had never ceased to join in tiie attack. Though these same members were very touchy about other people criticizing their decisions, they were ever ready to attack the decisions of their superiors. "Who in New Zealand, even including tiie Prime Minister, knows all the circumstances of the various points at issue that led the British statesmen to their decision at such places as Munich and Tokio?” asked Mr. Hamilton. “In all such circumstances those who criticize the decision made should be prepared to state and advocate an alternative'. What was the alternative? —the alternative on each of these occasions appeared to ' the ordinary layman to be a mighty risk of war. Foreign Dangers. "It does appear to me to be bordering bn presumption for some of our would-be authorities tb attack the actions and decisions of Britain’s leading statesmen, specially while they themselves are doing not a tithe as much to strengthen tiie Empire against foreign dangers, but on the contrary are on their knees seeking financial aid from Britain, embarrassing instead of helping her with her burdens.” Mr. Semple: You do not suggest that British statesmen are infallible. Mi' Hamilton: No, neither is the honoiTrable gentleman infallible. MINISTER’S CLAIM Most Sections Held To Be Better Off ' BUSINESS CONDITIONS The contention that the workers, the manufacturers, tiie retailers generally, the business men, aud, as far as he, a city man, was in a position to tell, certain classes of the farmers, were in a better position as a result of the policy of the Government, was advanced 'by the Minister of Industries and Commerce, Mr. Sullivan, when speaking in the debate on the Financial Statement in the House of Representatives last night, A general survey of tiie conditions of business concerns, Mr. Sullivan said, on the whole showed an improved position in comparison witli tiie years before Labour came into office. Mr. Polson (Opposition, Stratford): What about taking a look into the future? The Minister, continuing, said that recently he went through the Taranaki district, and, if tiie guaranteed price had not made the farmers better off, then lie would say that they had been able to get more motor-ears and better motor-cars than ever they had before.

Mr. Polson: You are very impressed with Taranaki. Mr. Sullivan: Yes, they are a very fine people. Mr. Polson: And very well represented.

Mr. Sullivan: The hon. gentleman assures me that they are very well represented, but I am sure he is not egotistical enough to say that they could not be better represented. Tiie Minister said he thought the wheat farmers were doing very well on 5/9 a bushel, and dairy-farmers ' appeared not to desire to lose their guaranteed price. Mr. Dickie (Opposition, I’atea): Why are you profiteering on Australian wheat?

The Minister: What does the hon gentleman want to do? Does he want me to import Australian wheat at a cheap price and put it on the market at that price? All sections associated with the wheat. Hour and bread Indus try in Canterbury desire a continuance of this scheme. Mr. Dickie: What about the poultry farmers?

The Minister: The poultry people are better off than they would be if we did not have this scheme.

So far as taxation was concerned, said Mr. Sullivan, he would emphasize that the taxation imposed upon the eommuuity was distributed back to the community in the form of pensions and social services to the people who most needed them and most deserved them.