FOREIGN POLICY CRITICS

Evening Star, Issue 23353, 24 August 1939, Page 8

FOREIGN POLICY CRITICS

RIGHTS OF FREE COMMUNITY EMPHASISED MR FRASER MAKES PROVISO. HOWEVER WISE DISCRETION ESSENTIAL AT THIS PARLOUS TIME [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.] WELLINGTON, August 23. The criticism of British fox-eign policy which has been heard from Government members during the financial' debate formed the subject of comment by the Acting Prime Minister when ho spoke in the House. It would, he suggested, be a retrograde step if a free community could not countenance the criticism of this or any other Government. The right of criticism was the prerogative of the people's representatives. There was no infallibility of a Cabinet Alinister; nor of the Leader of the Opposition, nor any representatives in the House. It would be a had thing if it was said there were questions which should not be discussed.

The Leader of the Opposition (Ail Hamilton) ; We would like to hear a favourable view noxv and again. Air Fraser; There should be no idea of curtailing the right of criticism by members returned on the supposition that they are thinking entities. Mr Do’idge (National, Tauranga) : Do you approve of a private member declaring that Britain was pursuing a doublecrossing policy in the East?

Air Fraser: Put it in its proper perspective. A member may have said that. I claim the same right as I give to him of differing from him. Ido soj but that docs not mean that 1 give slavish adherence to anybody. But this 1 do say about this matter—that the earth is charged with electricity at the present time. The scene is changing from day to clay. What could be said two days ago could not be said with discretion to-night, and, after all, in our discussions and criticisms of foreign policy and defence xve can use a wise discretion.

Turning to what he believed to be a .critical reference to the United Slates heard during tin?debate. Mr'Fraser declared emphatically that the friendship of that great nation was a valuable asset. Ever since the Government took office it had done everything possible to work in co-operation with the United States. Though wo were a small people with a limited scope, within our limits we had done something. Members might have road the other day when the King and Queen were visiting the United States that President JRoosevelt had stated with groat pride that the arrangements which had been made in •the Pacific over one island might be extended to other islands, where, instead of the United States and Britain rpiarrelling and fighting, even verbally, they had decided that they would own Canton Island jointly, and the Stars and Stripes and the Union Jack wore flying there to-day.