BRITISH POLICY

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12015, 18 December 1924, Page 5

BRITISH POLICY

MR CHAMBERLAIN’S REVIEW ATTITUDE TOWARD EGYPT AND RUSSIA DEFINED. LABOUR MOTION REJECTED. By Telegraph..—Press Assn.—Copyright Reuter’s Telegram. (Received December 17, 7.45 p.m.) LONDON. December 15. In the House of Commons the debate on the Address in Reply tvas re. sumed by Mr C. P. Trevelyan (Lab.), formerly Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, who attacked the Government’s policy towards Egypt and Russia. He asked whether Egypt was now really independent, and wbat the Government proposed to do with regard to Russia, with which country other countries were now making ooanmerqja! agreements. RELATIONS OF THE iLLIES. Mr Austen Chamberlain, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, said his conversations with M. Herriot and Signor Mussolini had been conducted' in the true <roirit of the League of Nations, establishing mutual relations of trust and confidence. He emphasised the fact that their conversations had oome as close to an agreement as was possible, but never at the expense of those who were not there. He had heard mush of the foreign viewpoint regarding the Geneva Protocol, but for himself he was unable to express any opinion on the Protocol on behalf of the Government, because the first Cabinet meeting to consider it was only hold on the day of his departure. Mr Chamberlain said that inter-Al-lied debts were not discussed. It was not pretended that the conversations had decided great issues. They had not sought to make any new treaties, nor to come to fresh decisions, but they had eliminated same small matters which would have been points of friction if they had not reached an agreement to recognise the largness of their common interests throughout the world, and to resolve each to dm his best to prevent small differences, which must arise occasionally, from impeding their co-operation in the greater, common interests. EGYPT’S OBLIGATIONS. Referring to Mr Trevelyan’s speech, the Foreign Secretary said he had to come to the House of Commons to hear what was really an anti-British declaration. He had received from foreign statesmen many congratulations on the British attitude in the Egyptian crisis. In the Sudan, he declared. Britain must have authority to fulfil her obligations, but in Egypt all Britain desired was that the Egyptian Government should do its duty. If it were willing to do that, men it would find no better, firmer, or more loyal friends than the British Government and people. (Ministerial cheers.) The Government did; not desire to interfere with the independence of Egypt. “But we require that the Egyptian Government shall work with and not against us, and accept loyally and frankly, as the basis of its independence the conditions attached to its grant, If we had to deal with a friendly Egyptian Government, loyal to the conditions upon which our cooperation is based, we would invite them to join in an inquiry as to what water is available for the Sudan, after making a full allowance for Egyptian requirements, and we would propose a neutral chairman for a commission upon which Egypt and the Sudan would he represented.’’ Mr Chamberlain said he did not think the Egyptian question, in its present stage, could come before the League of Nations. He pointed out the ill effects that would ensue in the Sudan from the suggested application to the League for a mandate for administration. • \ SOVIET AT ARM’S LENGTH. The Minister mentioned the Zinovieff letter, the authenticity of which lie said was confirmed by four entirely trustworthy soutocs. He did not think it opportune to resume negotiations with the Soviet at present. Mr Chamberlain added that, coming fresh from meetings of the League Council, he could voioe his stronger confidence in the future of the league. THE GENEVA PROTOCOL. Mr Raimsay Macdonald, Leader of the Opposition, pressed the Government to afford members of the House an opportunity to discuss the Protocol before the consultation with the dominions, and -urged the Chancellor of the Exchequer to impress upon theg Allies-at the forthcoming finanoe conference that it was necessary to ease the British taxpayers’ burden, resulting from the Allies’ non-payment of their debts. Mr Ponsanhy moved the Labour amendment, regretting the Government’s policy regarding Egypt and Russia. This was rejected by 363 votes to 132.

ZINOVIEFF LETTER

“RECEIVED AND DESTROYED.’’ Australian and NZ. Cable Association. (Received December 17, 9.35 p.m.) LONDON, December 16. Mr Chamberlain in the House of Commons faid there would never be an opportunity of getting the original Zinovieff letter. It was received and destroyed by a Communist body in Britain.