FOREIGN SERVICE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 191, 2 August 1930, Page 5

FOREIGN SERVICE

HAS AGREEMENT BEEN MADE?

“FOBOE OF 80,000 MEN”

MINISTER DOES NOT KNOW

“What agreement has been made?” asked Mr. W. J. Jordan (Lab., Manukau) in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon when ho endeavoured to ascertain from tho Minister of Defence, Hon. J. G. Cobbc, whether a statement in tho Press that New Zealand had agreed to supply an expeditionary force of 80,000 men for service overseas if it were required was correct. Mr. Jordan said that LieutenantCommander Connors was reported to have told a Navy League meeting at Dunedin that ho had been informed by an officer of high rank that such an agreement had been entered into. “1 would like to ask the Minister what our commitments are,” said Mr. Jordan. “I would like to ask him it an agreement has been made to supply an expeditionary force.” “There might bo some understanding,” replied the Minister, “but I do not know about it.” “Does tho chairman of the Defence Committee know about it,” queried Mr. Jordan.

Colonel T. W. McDonald (United, Wairarupa): Ho docs not know. “This is an extraordinary state of affairs,” added Mr. Jordan. “Lieu-tenant-Commander Connors can get it. from a responsible officer holding a high position in the servico t but members of tho Defence Committee, of which I am a member, cannot get any information about an agreement and tho Minister can only toll there might bo an understanding. Mr. W. E. Barnard (Lab., Napier): What is the hidden hand? Tho Loader of the Opposition, Rt. Hom J. G. Coates: Perhaps the honourable member can clear up the mystery. Mr. Jordan: It has got me beaten.

“Perhaps it is a Reform commitment,” interjected another Labour member.

Mr. Jordan: If it is, Mr. Coates can tell us.

Mr. A. M. Samuel (Ref., Thames) Ask your own leader.