BRITAIN’S POLICY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 100, 8 April 1936, Page 5

BRITAIN’S POLICY

Mr. Chamberlain’s Outline (British Official Wireless.) (Received 8, 12.30 p.m.) RUGBY, April 7. During a House of Commons debate, Mr Neville Chamberlain, replying to questions on mandates, pointed out tb.c distinction between colonies and mandated territory. Mandated territories were in a somewhat different category. These territories, formerly belonging to enemy Powers, were allocated to the principal Allied and associated Powers who voluntarily undertook a mandate under the League of Nations, to which from time to time they were bound to render a report on their administration. It was not apparently contemplated when the mandates were allotted that there would ever be any change in these mandates. . There was no provision made for transfer to any other Power. In order to effect a transfer there would be required the assent of the mandatory Power and of the Power to whom the territory was to be transferred, and finally also of tl’» Council of the League. The British Government had not considered and were not considering the handing over 'of any of the British colonics or teritory held uuder mandate. lie could not pledge tho action of future Governments. “In addition, we do recognise that wo have definite obligations to the people who inhabit these territories,” said Mr Chamberlain, “and that we could not think oi surrendering those obligations or handing over those territories to another Power unless we were satisfied that the interests of all sections of tho popula tions inhabiting those territories were fully safeguarded.”