RUSSIA

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 20 August 1924, Page 9

RUSSIA

£XTRA EDITION.

TREATY "WITH BRITAIN. AUSTRALIAN POINT OF VIEW. CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COB YRlGll'i Received Aug. 20, 10.55 a.m. -UELxiOUiU\it, Aug. 20. ( In the House-of Representatives, Air Bruce, speaking on tfta treaty recently arrived at between Britain and the Soviet, said tlie action which has been taken by the British Government was initiated immediately the present Government came into power, and the Dominions were not consulted. Technically tnis action was not in accordance witn. the established practice of consultation with the Dominions upon all questions of foreign policy. The Government cf Australia felt that Austrajiaujnterests were not affected by the treaty, and there did not appear to be any possibility of Australia beii/g involved in obligations resulting from the- treaty. The Commonwealth took no action to protest against the British Government’s attitude, particularly as subsequent actions showed that there was no intention of making this action a precedent. With regard to the general treaty entered into, the procedure was entirely in accordance with the resolutions of the Imperial Conference. The Commonwealth Government had at all times lull knowledge of the subject matter, and was kept fully informed of all developments. The Commonwealth Government felt that it could take no action with regn.rd to any commercial treaty Britain might contemplate entering into any more than Australia would tolerate any interference by Britain in any commercial treaty we desired to enter into.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

The possibility of one part of the Empire being affected by the action of another part was no justification for interference in the arrangements of the self-governing parts.