BRITAIN BOUND TO IRAQ FOR 25 YEARS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 2328, 23 December 1925, Page 9

BRITAIN BOUND TO IRAQ FOR 25 YEARS

Unavailing Protests a In House of Commons OIL RISES TO TOP 5 OP LIVELY DEBATE [By Electric Cable —Copyright.] 1 ■ [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (P.ecelVed Tuesday’, 7 p.m.) LONDON, December 21. a Mr. Baldwin, in the House of Comt» mens. Announced the new Iraq U treaty would be presented to the b j House for ratification early in Febru- ■ i- a»y a The Premier declined to withdraw 0 a motion approving the Ministry s acy tion In, regard to Mosul. .1 Mr. J. R. Clynes complained of an v .attempt, to coerce the Opposition into v a decision that should be sought on treaty in February. He asked Ope positionists not to participate in the debate. n The Opposition immediately began. - to obstruct the House of Lords amendments to the Rating Bill, Mr. Mardy ‘ Jones threatening to keep members v taking divisions all night long. Mr. Baldwin’s Mosul motion was y carried by-239 votes to four, a Mr. Neville Chamberlain retorted by v moving the adjournment of the debate in order to permit the Iraq debate to be taken and his motion w*as cl tied. Mr. Clynes intimated that unless Mr. Baldwin withdrew his. Iraq motion, the Labourites could not parti- ® cipate. Mr. Baldwin declined, whereupon. ? Mr. Clynes led the exodus of Labourites from the Chamber. After the Labour members’ departure, Mr. Baldwin pointed out that the Government had no intention of rati--3 fying it until the House had fully " discussed the treaty in February. It s only as general acceptance of the '■ Award to-day in order to show their * I determ nation to sustain the League 1 -as an instrument of world peace. The 6 Government was determined that the : ’ period over which the British taxpayer ' | was to be burdened with extra expenditure on account of Iraq should ' jbe ended as soon as possible. He reminded the House that Lotd Parmoor ' last year renewed the undertaking, ot r behalf of the Labour Ministry, to ac- ‘ cept the League’s Award. The present undertaking was not for a definite " twenty’ -five years, but till such tiiu^ 0 as Iraq acquired solidarity justifying 3 her admission to the League. The. 6 mandate did not involve keeping '* troops in Iraq, but only co-operation and advice, to ensure stability. * Whether Iraq was subject to a manE date or a member of the League, It 0 was entitled to the League’s '* protection in the event of attack. 0 Mr. Baldwin added: “Mr. Chambere lain at Geqeva expressed a desire for ’* an agreement with Turkey. In order d to give effect to th e statement, I have a asked the Turkish Ambassador to <• meet me to-morrow and I want the d country behind me.” P A number of Liberals and ConserVatlves, following Mr. Baldwin, insisted r. on the danger of Britain committing y herself to remaining in Iraq for i- twenty-five years, though it was gen!S erally admitted the Turks must not t be permitted to believe th e country a was divided. i- Commander Kenworthy and others ■t urged the desirability of coming to il an agreement with Turkey, who was e at present driven under Russia’s tuteh lage. 0 Mr. M. S. Amery, in winding-up the e debate, said; “Our expenditure in Iraq it is a little over four millions annually, n of which two millions are on the won't derful air force which provides frond tier security. Personally, I am con1. vinced Iraq will not only pay Its way n in a few years, but will steadily d shoulder the burden we aro carrying d for her. If oil Is found in large quane titles in Iraq, her Government will be U able to deal with the problems ot L water supply and irrigation.” .- A few Liberals challenged a division.