BRITISH IN CHINA

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12602, 12 November 1926, Page 7

BRITISH IN CHINA

LORD BALFOUR ON POLICY CHINA MUST SET HER HOUSE IN ORDER UNANIMOUS OPINION Bv Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z Cable Association. (Received November 11, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, November 10. In the House of Lords Lord Parmoor raised the question of China, and urged a large measure of patience on Britain’s part. Every effort at conciliation should be made in order to avoid unpopularity. He quoted missionary opinion in favour of the abandonment of the principle of extra-ter-ritorinlity in exchange for a new system for the protection of foreigners which would noi be inconsistent with China’s sovereign rights. The Earl of Balfour denied that any enlightened Chinaman could or would complain of the British policy, which did its best to meet every legitimate demnnd. The difficulty was that tho Chinese had no single representative for the purpose of negotiations. It was only possible to find generals waging war with varying fortunes. As regards the Shanghai Court Lord Balfour said a local agreement had been signed for the rendition of a mixed court. Broadly speaking, Lord Parmoor’s policy had already been successfully adopted. The commission on extra-territoriality was now reporting. He believed that the report contained unanimous recommendations of the Chinese and foreign members that no satisfactory policy was possible for the Western Powers until China set her house in order.