BRITISH POLITICS

Hokitika Guardian, 26 February 1926, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.]

DISCUSSION IN LORDS.

(Received this day at 0.30 a.m.l LONDON, Feb. '2.3. 11l the House of Lords, on tlie motion of lord Parmoor, that on the occasion of tLe admission ol Germany to the League Council, it was undesirable to raise the question of the general reconstruction of the Council or further increase its members, which furnished an occasion for plain speaking on the League issue. Lord Parmoor reiterated the danger of creating the impression that the reconstruction of the Council was dictated by tbc necessity of grouping the powers for balancing rival interests. He declared lie had nvad Kir Austen Chamberlain's speech yesterday, np-

prelicnsivoly. lie was of the opinion

that it was unfair to the* other meinof the League to raise a matter of such importance at the present time. The question should he first raised in the Assembly for a puKlie open diseus-

I.ord j’hillemore, in slrongy opposing the increase, said the Council must not heroine the cockpit of rival interests. He said he was much struck by the article in a South African newspaper saving that if it became a cockpit, the only thing to do was to keep •* " out therefrom altogether. Cecil, replying, said he had no desire to say much at the present stage, hut it was a mistake to think that tike admission of Germany raised this question. It was much truer to say the question had boon postponed because it was felt that if Germany •entered that would be the proper time to deal with the question, which was constantly raised earlier, 'flic Government did not desire to deprive Parliament of the right to express its views; morever, the British delegates ought to go to Geneva, with instructions. Nevertheless, they should he given a certain liberty of action to debate tbc matter honestly and fairly for the other Statics. Lord Cecil said tlio question had not been raised by the British Government, but, if it was raised at all, it would 1)0 raised by the others and Britain cannot fir- 11 her co-members that tbev bad no right to raise a question which they were perfectly justified in raising. T-TOME POLITICK. (Received this day at 8 a. in A LONDON, February 21. 'flic Commons laughed at the spectacle of Kaklatvala carrying six heavy bundles, two whereof were slung on bis neck, to the Clerk’s table.* lie explained they were the signatures of three hundred thousand citizens, inclduing one hundred Commoners, men and women of all parties, drawing the attention of the House to miners and members of the Communist Party imprisoned and praying the House to ask bis .Majesty to use his perogrative to release them.

Mr Pomsonby asked whether Mr Chamberlain was able to inform the House of the altitude lie had been instructed to adopt at the forthcoming meeting of the Council of the League of Nations on the subject of a further increase of the permanent membership of the Council beyond the admission of Germany.

Mr Chamberlain replied that the Government had not yet decided on the course of action, lie denied that an extraordinary session of the Council of the League was called to deal exclusively with the. question of the admission of Germany.

Horebcleisha asked Whether in view of the economies made in the strength of the fleet, it was still proposed to continue the expenditure on Singapore Base? Mr Bridgeman replied nffiirmativety to the question.

Air Baldwin said the suggestion I hot the imperial Conference should not he confined to representatives of parties temporarily' in office which his predecessor had submitted to the Dominions Prime Ministers, had not been supported by liimself. He bad not considered it practicable.

Asked if the extensions of membership of the Council of the League beyond Germany had been discussed at Locarno, Mr Chamberlain replied in the negative. He said the Powers represented at Locarno, who were members of the Council had already expressed their willingness to support the selection of Germany on a permanent scat, hut no question was raised as regards the claims of other Powers. He never heard it suggested then or earlier that an agreement to support Germany implied an agreement to oppose every other change.

T A[PER TA L C< >N FER ENG E. LONDON. Feb. 2(5. Mr Baldwin announced the Imperial Conference will be held in October, SITUATION CONFUSED. LONDON. Feb. 20.

It is generally considered that the League situation is confused, instead ol cleared, by Sir. A. Chamberlain's speech It is affirmed in political circles that whatever the case for reconstruction of the Council this is an unfortunate time to raise the question. Mr Ramsay MacDonald interviewed by the “Daily Herald’’ insisted that Hie question should he entirely separated from Germany's admission. He suggests that after Germany’s admittance the Council might invite a committee of outside internationals to report on.the subject. It is understood Cabinet yesterday considered it, hut no decision was reached. It is known the body of Ministerial opinion is that other applications should lx’ subsequent to Gerjnony’s entry. . . The “Daily Chronicle’ says it is Relieved the standpoint of the Dominions is that a Cabinet decision should l,e come to before Sir A. Chamberlain goes to Geneva.

SENSIBLE SCHEME TALKED OCT. LONDON, February 25. In the House of Commons, in moving that the Government take big .steps to develop new Helds of remunerative employment overseas, Sir Shirley Bonn outlined an ambitious scheme for the formation of Empire development corporations, each to operate in separate colonies and form guilds of engineers, mijiers. builders and farmers develop the virgin tracts, the members themselves to be responsible for the repayment of capital the latter to be provided by means of debentures with a Government suarantCThe Hon. 1, C. M. S. Amery (Dominions Secretary) said if the scheme was submitted to the Overseas Settlement Committee in a practical form it won i receive practical sympathy. Elie motion was talked out.