DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 33, 9 February 1927, Page 9

DEBATE IN HOUSE OF COMMONS

MACDONALD BLAMES GOVERNMENT

THE PRIME MINISTER. IN DEFENCE

The expected debate on the British Government's Chinese policy commenced in the House of Commons on the opening of Parliament yesterday, when, after a reference in the Speech from the Throne, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. J. R. Mac Donald, attacked the Government. The policy was defended by the Prime Minister.

(United Press Association.—Copyright.) (Received 9th February, noon.) LONDON, Bth Feb. In his Speech from the Throne at the opening of Parliament the King made reference at some length to the situation in China. He said:— "The continuation of civil war in China and the anti-foreign, particularly anti-British, agitation with which it has been accompanied have, caused me grave anxiety. In consequence of what happened at Hankow and other places my Government felt it necessary to dispatch to the Far East a sufficient force to protect the lives of my British and Indian subjects against mob violence and armed attack. But I earnestly desire a peaceful settlement of the difficulties which have arisen, and my Government has caused proposals to be made to the Chinese authorities which should convince public opinion in China and throughout the world that it is the desire of the British people to remove all real grievances, renew our treaties on an equitable basis, and place our future relations with the Chinese people on a footing of friendship and goodwill. My Government will maintain our traditional policy of non-interference in. the internal affairs of China."