BRITISH ATTITUDE

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1929, Page 5

BRITISH ATTITUDE

STATEMENT IN COMMONS.

«British Official Wireless.)

(Received this day at 11 a.m.) RUGBY, Ma.v

In the House of Commons to-dav, lion. W. Churchill (Chancellor of the Exchequer) announced the terms of the reparations " settlement foreshadowed yesterday in the press, would in the opinion of the Government, bo unacceptable Air Churchill was answering questions by Colonel Gretton (Conservative) and Colonel Wedgwood (Labourite) who asked whether any statement could lie made about the negotiations For settling payments by Germany under the treaty of Versailles, and whether the terms of the reference to the expert committee covered alterations m the Spa percentages. He said the committee of experts now sitting in Paris was composed of independent representatives of the countries concerned. The British members throughout' these protracted proceedings had been impressed by their very admirable grasp and comprehension of the whole position. The British Government had not, however, at any time sent telegraphic instructions to these gentlemen, nor did they propose io do so on this occasion. -The experts committee must be left to make their own conclusion. These conclusions, whatever they might be and whether agreed to or not in no way committed the British Government, which remained entirely free to review Mi * whole position and take their own derision upon the work and recommendations of the expert committee.

Therefore no urgency existed, and it would he premature, as well as inexpedient for the British Government to pronounce upon any particular aspects, however important they might be, at the present juncture. However, in order to prevent a misunderstanding abroad and alarm at home, it was perhaps desirable to say the kind of proposals in the-newspapers of yesterday would, in the opinion of the British Government, be unacceptable and the British Government would, in no circumstances entertain them. {Received this day at 11.25. a.m.) LONDON, May 9.

Colonel. Wodgewood, following Hon. W. Churchill in the Commons asked if the terms of reference of the rc : parations experts would include alterations to the Spa percentages. “Have we any guarantee that we shall not he committed to any gift to France, even though it is less than a hundred millions, which Young’s proposals would cost Britain ? Air Churchill replied: “I have read carefully and gravely considered the answer to the House, and I do not deirc in any wise to add to it.'’