AMERICAN VISIT

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 291, 7 November 1929, Page 10

AMERICAN VISIT

PRIME MINISTER’S REPORT. f LIBERAL ATTITUDE. DISCUSSION IN COMMONS. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) LONDON, Nov. 5. Mr Baldwin, on behalf of the Conservatives, stated in the House of Commons to-day that the Prime Minister throughout his visit had acted ns Prime Minster of the United Kingdom and not ns a party leader, for which the country owed him a debt of gratitude. (Cheers.) Three years ago, Mr Baldwin, said, he had broached with the American Ambassador the subject of a visit by the British Prime Minister to the United States, ■ but both then felt that it would not be opportune for some time. He desired to admit that Mr MacDonald had taken the first possible moment to make his visit. Mr Baldwin continued: “I will not disguise from the House, though I am not gr.eedy of power, that it was one of the things I always hoped to do, namely, to go to America as Prime Minister to try personally to improve the relations between Britain and America. I rejoice that it has been done, and I hope that it will not be the last of such visits.”

Mr Lloyd George, the Liberal Leader, said that he desired to join in congratulating Mr MncDonald, whose visit had been an unquestioned success from every viewpoint. Without real good-will between nations all pacts for the abolition of war would be mere scraps of paper. Mr MacDonald in this way had rendered a real service to world peace by clearing the atmosphere and introducing a more geniai element in the relations between Britain and America. He said that all the more gladly because he had doubted the wisdom of visiting America before the Five Power Conference. . Mr Lloyd George said that he wished Mr MacDonald had told them more of concrete results and commitments. Was there an understanding between Britain and America regarding cruisers, submarines, size of guns and what was known as the freedom of the seas? The speaker was continuing to put other questions when Labour members shouted: “It is the wrong time.” Mr Lloyd George: “I do not think 1 have said anything to provide the Labour Party with an excuse for such remarks. I have been studiously conciliatory. I am entitled to ask these questions.” Had Mr MacDonald, he added, discussed with. America general disarmament and the question of debts, which was most important to Britain. Was there an intention to give tis the most-favoured-nation treatment in respect of debts? Colonel Gretion (Conservative) asked if Mr MacDonald intended to make a statement before tho conference or publish the report of the committee inquiring into the naval position ot the Commander Kenworthy (Labour) stated that Mr Lloyd George’s questions were mischievous. The whole success of the Five-Power Conference would be jeopardised if Mr MacDonald went into details Mr MacDonald, replying, stated that regarding belligerent rights no promise had been mado beyond a promise to consider the matter. He had not raised the question of American support tor general disarmament. It would be time to do this after t.he Five-Power Conference. He had not discussed debts.