PROBLEM FOR POWERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22390, 9 April 1936, Page 11

PROBLEM FOR POWERS

COLONIES AND MANDATES ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN British Wireless RUGBY, April 7 In the House of Commons yesterday Mr. Winston Churchill and Sir Austen Chamberlain asked for a clear and authoritative statement as to the Government's attitude in regard to colonies and mandated territories. Mr. Churchill said that a speech made by Sir Samuel Hoare at Geneva last year concerning raw materials, though carefully guarded, had brought up the whole colonial question. He asked if the Government could, state the principles by which it could be guided in dealing with this matter in future. The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Mr. Neville Chamberlain, in replying for the Government, pointed out the distinction between colonies nnd mandated territories. The latter, he said, were in a somewhat different category. Formerly belonging to enemy Powers, they had been allocated to the principal Allied and associated Powers, who voluntarily undertook mandates under the League, to which, from time to time, they were bound to render a report on their administration. Apparently it was not contemplated when the mandates were allotted, that there would ever be any change in these mandates. No provision was made for their transfer to any other Power. In order to effect.a transfer there would be required the assent of the mandatory Power and of the Power to whom the territory was to be transferred and, finally, also that of the Council of the League. The British Government had not considered, and was not considering, tho handing over of any of the British colonies or territory held under mandate. Ho could not pledge the action of future Governments.

MINISTER'S MEANING ® UNEASINESS CAUSED ELUCIDATION WANTED LONDON, April 7 The' Sun-Herald news service states that the uneasiness over mandated colonies is increased by Mr. Chamberlain's statement, particularly by his statement that the Government recognised it had definite obligations to the people who inhabit these territories, "and that we could not think of Surrendering those obligations or handing over those territories to another Power unless we are satisfied that the interests of all sections of the populations inhabiting those territories were fully safeguarded." Several, questions have been tabled in the House seeking enlightenment. A section of the House fears that the Government is weakening in the faee of Germany's pressure. The Daily Herald says the interpretation placed on Mr. Chamberlain's speech is that "Britain is prepared to consult the League for a transfer of her mandates to their former owners under certain conditions." ,*