COLONIAL QUESTION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 30 June 1939, Page 5

COLONIAL QUESTION

HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY REALISED POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC INSECURE! Y " P A -Hv Kleciru- I’eleif r»j»li -Onprrichr (Received 30th June. 11.45 a.m.) LONDON. 29th June. Dealing with the colonial question Lord Halifax said: "The British Com-

monwealth is fully aware of its heavy responsibility. Britain recognised that self-government should be the ultimate goal of colonial policy. The benefits of the relatively low cost of production of certain commodities in colonial territories would be shared more widely under an international system in which trade barriers were lowered.

Lord Halifax had no doubt that if others were prepared to make a contribltion to a better world, “We, in the conduct of colonial administration would be ieady to go as far upon the etonomlc side as we have already done on the political side in making a wider application of the principles which now i obtain in mandated territories, including, on terms of reciprocity, that of an open-door.” 1 He said that unless all countries de- • sire a settlement discussions would ! only do more harm than good. “Moreover it is impossible to negotiate with a Government whose responsible spokesmen brand a friendly country us thieves and blackmailers and indulge in daily monstrous slanders on the British policy in all parts of the world. But if that spirit, which is clearly incompatible with any desire for a peaceful settlement, gave way for something different His Majesty’s Government would be ready to pool their best thought with others in order to end political and economic security. Our | next task would be reconstruction of | the international order on a broader land firmer foundation.