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Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 79, 2 March 1938, Page 9

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BRITAIN'S FOREIGN POLICY. MR LYONS QUESTIONED. COLLECTIVE SECURITY REMAINS (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) Received March 2, 8.5 a.m. PERTH, March 1. Mr J. Curtin is demanding that the Federal Parliament should he convened as soon as possible to discuss the change in British foreign policy. He claims that the people of the Dominions should be told what the change amounted to. A message from Canberra says the Prime Minister (Mr J. A. Lyons), in a reply to Mr Curtin to-day, declared that there had been no change in British foreign policy. The only change was in method. The differences between Mr Chamberlain and Mr Eden related only to the time and manner in which the conversations for European appeasement should be conducted. Mr Lyons added that there was no basis for the belief that thee new policy involved the disappearance of collective security. BEST CHOICE. NEAV FOREIGN~SECRETARY. - LONDON, Feb. 28. Speaking in the debate in the House of Commons on the appointment of a new Foreign Secretary, Sir Archibald Sinclair (Liberal Leader) said: "Lord Halifax was the best choice available as Foreign (secretary. I remain a keen opponent to Mr Chamberlain's policy, but pay a tribute to his personal courage in making this decision. Let our controversies be on the main issue of the Prime Minister's policy." ~.,',, Mr Winston Churchill said: It tlie Commons wishes to keep control _ ot foreign 'affairs it is better to have ,ew, but longer and more carefully prepared debates. Lord Halifax is a man or great integrity and courage, and the only one to carry through the experiment which I consider unpromising, and which already has cost those who launched it a considerable price, both in their political interests and m our interests in Europe. , Mr Chamberlain said: ."If otliei things are equal it is desirable that the Foreign Secretary should be a member of the House of Commons where his policy could be challenged There is not one of my colleagues as I well qualified for the Foreign Office as Lord Halifax. It would not be light to deprive the country of his services merely because lie is a member ot the House of Lords." Mr Chamberlain agreed that the tact that the Foreign Secretary was m the House of Lords presented a difficulty, but he was prepared to mitigate it by personally answering major questions and participating in foreign affairs debates. ~, , The Premier said: "In an endeavour not to shirk questions I shall answer here supplementary questions it the necessity arises." A Government motion for an adjournment was carried by 226 votes to 99. _ SEAL ACCEPTED. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Feb. 28. At a council held by the King at Buckingham Palace Lord Halifax kissed hands on his appointment as Foreign Secretary and received the seals of office. . There-was also a ceremony in which Lord Hailsham, Lord Chancellor, received the new great seal of the realm and the King, using a hammer, "demaskcd" the old seal by striking it. NOT IN .AGREEMENT. LORD ARNOLD RESIGNS. LONDON, Feb. 28. Lord Arnold has resigned from the Labour Party. In a statement he declared that he profoundly disagrees with the party s foreign policy. It is expected that Lord Ponsonby will also resign.