LORDS DEBATE

Hokitika Guardian, 28 June 1935, Page 5

LORDS DEBATE

VIEWS OF LORD BEATTY. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copy right). LONDON, June ,26. The Anglo-German naval treaty was briefly debated in the House of Lords. Lord Lloyd regretted '-the British Government had entered this agreement without consulting France and Italy. He said that Britain’s cruisers and destroyers were in such a condition that some were unable to return from the Mediterranean. “The position,” lie said, “is much graver than I dare tell the House. It would he had lor us it as much were known as ought to be told!”

■ Lord Beatty said he was distressed mid disturbed at the present situation. Our navy was not strong enough to guarantee the salety of our seaborne trade, because wo were shackled l»y the London treaty. He welcomed the .Anglo-German agreement. A gesture nl the kind Germany had made, he said, did away with all possibility of competition in armaments, and rivalry on the sea between the two countries. The agreement for 35 per cent, of Britain’s strength established a permanent relationship, and ensured that, with at least one country’ in the world, there would be no competitive building, vhich was something he was thankful for. Another effect of the agreement was that there would he no repetition of ruthless submarine warfare in the future.

Lord Ponsonbv (Labour) criticised the method adopted in concluding tlm agreement, and declared that, it, in essence, was not a disarmament, hut a re-armament agreement.