LEAGUE COVENANT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 17 December 1936, Page 7

LEAGUE COVENANT

VIEWS OF NEW ZEALAND BRITISH GOVERNMENT INFORMED QUESTIONS IN THE COMMONS (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 17th December, 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, 16th December. Questioned by Mr Mander (Labour) in the House of Commons, MA Anthony Eden (Foreign Secretary) said that the New Zealand Government had informed the British Government of its intention to set out its views on the League Covenant. The British Government had not been consulted as regards the terms of the memorandum. While they were in agreement with certain of the main principles enunciated, they knew that the Government of New Zealand, in the event of their proposals being regarded as not immediately practicable, will not demur if consideration is postponed, or if consideration is given to alternative proposals. The British Government did not consider the proposals for an international force under League control or the allocation to the League of a definite proportion of the armed forces of its members, to be practicable at present. Mr Mander: “Do I understand there is a difference of opinion in the British Commonwealth of Nations as regards the League policy? Would, not it be possible by consultation to arrive at an agreed policy?”

Mr Eden: “I have stated that we are not concerned with these proposals. There are of course different views about the future of the Covenant between the Dominions, and even between the members of this House.