BRITISH FIRMNESS

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 111, 23 April 1936, Page 8

BRITISH FIRMNESS

Whole Empire Must Be Consulted MR. THOMAS’S ANALYSIS By Telegraph—Press Assn, —Copyright LONDON, April 21. In a reply to a brief debate in the House of Commons on the question of mandated territories, the Colonial Secretary, Mr J. H. Thomas, said: “I want Germany and every other foreign country to understand clearly that it would be contrary to the facts to state that they do not enjoy all the advantages and privileges we enjoy. Secondly we have administered our trust equitably, and the natives for whom we are responsible welcome our administration. Thirdly, if the question of transferring any mandate ever arises, it will not he a question for us alone. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa have mandates. “And as far as the British Government is concerned they will not consider handing over any mandates unless the whole question of Empire mandates also is reviewed. “There is also the question of mandates affecting France and Belgium. We are not considering the question at present. It has not arisen and will not bo raised by us.” Mr Thomas added: “Germany never regarded the mandated territories we now hold as colonies for expansion. Only an infinitesimal percentage of the German people, apart from the officials, had ever before the war been in any mandated territories. Moreover Germany was at liberty to obtain any raw materials she wanted from mandated territories, and on precisely the same terms as ourselves. “If she preferred to spend money in other directions, that was her business. She could not blame us.” Mr Winston Churchill regretted that Mr Thomas had given the impression that this was not a closed question. It was a question on which the Government should have a clear, resolute conviction. The door ought not to be flapping to and fro.