EX-ENEMY SUBJECTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20425, 29 November 1929, Page 13

EX-ENEMY SUBJECTS.

PROPERTY IN BRITAIN.

PEER ATTACKS GOVERNMENT#

DEEMS COUNTRY DISGRACED.

By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright. (Roceived November 28, 9.35 P.m.) LONDON, Nov. 28. In the House of Lords last, evening Lord Buckmaster again heatedly directed attention to the confiscation of ex-enemy subjects' property. " I have tried to see the thing from every point of view," said the speaker, "but I cannot see any which does not reflect deep and indelible disgrace upon this country. If we attack a whole nation the latter can defeud itself, but wo have selected a few people, whose only crime is that they belong to a conquered race, and we have stripped them as bare of property as the Bolsheviks did Russia."

Lord Parmoor said no doubt there were hard cases, but Lord Buckmaster had grossly exaggerated the seriousness of the position. He had used language that was bound to create friction between Britain and Germany.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Philip Snowden, had most clearly explained why the claims of ex-enemy subjects could not be reopened. Lord Banbury said that for the first time in his life he believed' a Socialist Government had done the right thing.

Lord Darling said the Government had in no way broken its contract. Mr. Snowden had put the legal position unassailably. The Government might ba generous as well as just in hard cases. Lord Buckmaster said he was amazed at the change in Lord Parmoor's tcna on the subject since he was in . opposition. "My words .may be uncomfortable," he added, " but at least they are unalterable." This closed the discussion.