IMPERIAL POLITICS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18825, 31 March 1923, Page 9

IMPERIAL POLITICS

DEBATE OX CONSOLIDATION BILL. RELATIONS WITH FRANCE DISCUSSED. Brass Association—By Telegraph —Copyright LONDON, March 28. In the House of Commons Sir Edward Grigg resumed the debate on the Consolidation Bill. He raised the micstion of the Franco-German and the FrancoBritish relations on (lie Ruhr occupation. A serious dislocation of our trade was being caused bv the French occupation. During the past few months we had passed into a new phase of the French policy, and neither reparations nor security now occupied the centre of the stage. We had always agreed with the French on the oucstion of reparations, but, differed as to the methods. If France's mind had centred on reparations she would have adopted a different attitude on the hanker conference proposals and those offered iby the British Government. Sir Edward Grigg said the present central ftiotive was not the old form of security, but .security under an entirely new definition, which took us into a dangerous volcanic region. The new policy meant the de nationalisation of the German people and an inevitable explosion in veers to come. It was contrary to our declared war aims and the treaty of Versailles. It would cause a future war nnd mir inevitable interference in the international affairs of a European State, never undertaken before. He urged the Government to consult the dominions forthwith on the whole issue. Sir L. W orthimrlon Evans asked what steng were being taken to remove the suspicion that the Freimh had given rise to a tension between France and Britain. There was no ground for it. France suspected that are stood in the way of her getting reparations, hut on the contrary we supported every practical proposal. It was also a fallacy to think that we were depriving her of the security to which she was entitled. The position between France and Britain was so serious that every possible information ought to be given, and be suggested especially that, the papers relating to the last A moist conference should bn published. Mr As'auith said he regarded llm situation as grave and disotiietiiig. Ho contended that Franco had received ade.riuat" securities against the responsibilities., of future danger from Germany. There was no use blinking the fact that the Ruhr invasion would create a new AlsaceLorraine fo r an indefinite time. He hoped the Government would strive its hardest to re-establish an entente with France. Mr Ramsay MacDonald contended that the Government’s position of benevolent neutrality was no position at all. The Allies could not get substantial reparations unless the economic and political position of 'Germany changed and an international loan was made possible. Mr Stanley Baldwin (Chancellor of the Exchequer), in replying, assured the House that the Government was keeping in touch with the dominions on -the matter. and would continue to do so. Ho said that France at present appeared singularly unwilling to accept any kind of intervention. This resulted in presenting a door banged, bolted, and barred against the ordinary methods of approach, which at ordinary times might lead to a settlement. The opposition had suggested reference to the League of Nations together with many other methods, which had already been explore;}. hut the Government was firmly, convinced that hitherto it had mirsued the only course that Britain ought to take. Britain had -‘'preserved the confidence, trust, and friendship of onr Allies. He believed that when the time came we would be accepted by Germany al3 honest negotiators. He saw nothing at present which should induce us to step aside from the path which had hitherto been trodden.— A. and N.Z. Cable. BURDEN OF TAXATION. PROSPECT OF REDUCTION. , LONDON. March 29. (Received March 30. at 5.5 p.rn.) The Dailv Express anticipates that Mr (Chancellor of the Exchequer) will reduce the income tax by Is in the £, and also that he will reduce the beer and sugar duties.