UPROAR CAUSED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22983, 10 March 1938, Page 15

UPROAR CAUSED

QUESTION IN HOUSE foreign policy changes FEELING OF DOMINIONS By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received March 9. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 8 There was an uproar in the House of Commons when Mr. G. L. M. Mander (Lab., E. Wolverhampton) asked the Dominions Secretary, Mr. Malcolm Mac Donald, whether the Dominions had been consulted over the foreign policy changes, "because fundamental differences are disclosed and Mr. Chamberlain has abandoned collective security." Tho question was asked amid Opposition cheers and counter-cheers. "Are the Dominions satisfied with this radical departure?" Mr. Mander asked. Mr. Mac Donald replied that from newspaper reports it would not appear that the Dominion Prime Ministers agreed that there had been any fundamental departure in Britain's foreign policy. Mr. Mander expressed dissatisfaction concerning Mr. MacDonald'a reply to the effect that the Dominion Prime Ministers had given their acquiescence to Mr. Chamberlain's policy. He said such acquiescence was expressed because it was largely based on Whitehall's despatches. He added that he would raise the whole question in the House again at the earliest opportunity. The Australian Associated Press says it is understood that Mr. Chamberlain has inforjned the Dominions concerning the trend of the conversations between Sir Nevile Henderson and Herr Hitler, and has also despatched a general outline of the situation in connection with the conversations between Britain and Germany, which have also been discussed with the High Commissioners. There is at present, however, no question of inviting comments from the Dominions on these conversations, or on the negotiations between Britain and Italy. Such a position will only arise when a stago is reached whore commitments and obligations are involved. In the House of Commons Mr. Chamberlain, replying to a question, said the Government's action in relation to the Dominions was in accordance with last year's consultations at the Imperial Conference. Mr. Chamberlain promised to table copies of the telegrams between Britain and the Dominions regarding the preliminaries of the conversations between Britain and Italy and Britain and Germany. ROME CONVERSATIONS PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION CORDIALITY OF ATMOSPHERE GROUND TO BE COVERED (Received March 9, 6.5 p.m.) LONDON, March 9 The Rome correspondent of the Daily rdegraph states that the British Ambassador, the Earl of Perth, called on the Italian Foreign Minister, Count Ciano, and they conversed for over in hour. An official communique states: "A survey of the ground to be covered was made. The conversations will be :ontinued." Already it is apparent that both parties have decided to pursue a policy of great reserve. There is an atmosphere of cordiality in Piome and interest in the situation is widespread.