NO SURRENDER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22401, 23 April 1936, Page 11

NO SURRENDER

BRITISH MANDATES QUESTION FOR EMPIRE REVIEW BEFORE ACTION MR THOMAS' STATEMENT By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received April 22, 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 22 In reply to a brief debate in the House of Commons on mandated territories, the Colonial Secretary, Mr. J. H. Thomas, said he wanted Germany and every other foreign country to understand clearly that it would be contrary to the facts to state that they did not enjoy all the advantages and privileges Britain enjoyed. Secondly, Britain had administered her trust equitably and tho natives for whom she was responsible welcomed her administration.

Thirdly, if the question of transferring any mandate ever arose it would not be a question for Britain alone. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa had mandates, and as far as the British Government was concerned it would not consider handing over any igandates unless the whole question of Empire mandates also was reviewed. There was also the question of mandates affecting France and Belgium. The British Government was not considering the question at present. It had not arisen and would not be raised by Britain. Germany had never regarded the mandated territories which Britain now held as colonies for expansion. Only an infinitesimal percentage of the German people, apart from officials, had ever been, before the war, in any of the mandated territories. Moreover, Germany was at liberty to obtain any raw materials she wanted from the mandated territories and on precisely the same terms as Britain. If she preferred to spend money in other directions that was her business. She could not blame Britain.

Mr. Winston Churchill said he regretted that Mr. Thomas had given the impression that this was not a closed question. It was a question on which the Government, should have a clear and resolute conviction. The door ought not to be flapping to and fro.