UNITY OF EMPIRE

Southland Times, Issue 21561, 26 November 1931, Page 7

UNITY OF EMPIRE

WESTMINSTER STATUTE BILL READ A THIRD TIME AMENDMENTS REJECTED (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec 5.5 p.m.) London, November 24. in the House of Commons Sir Gerald Hurst (Conservative) moved the first amendment to the Statute of Westminster lo prevent any dominion passing laws with extra-territorial operation conflicting with British and other dominion laws or international law. This was rejected without a division.

Major L. llore-Belisha, Under-Secretary for I’oreign Atiairs, replying to a motion to postpone the operation of the clause dealing with the dominions’ powers in relation to merchant shipping until the convention had been ratified, said the heads of the merchant shipping agreement were apparently approved throughout the Empire apart from a slight dinercnce in New Zealand, which it was hoped would soon be adjusted. Mr A. A. Somerville (Conservative), in moving a year’s postponement of the operation of the Bill, said Australia was halfhearted about it, Tasmania and Western Australia protested against the Statute, New Zealand did not seem to want it, and Canada was lukewarm. It was only wanted by South Africa and Ireland for electoral purposes.

Mr 11. L. Boyce (Conservative) supporting the amendment, said it would be more opportune to pass a constructive Bill uniting the Empire after the Imperial Economic Conference had achieved Empire economic unity.

Mr J. H. Thomas, Secretary for the Dominions, said Britain at the last conference was committed to every dominion lo carry out an agreement and ought to implement it to enable everyone to get down to fundamental economic problems. It would be a mistake for the British Parliament to take sides in differences between the Australian Federal and State authorities.

The amendment was withdrawn. Mr Boyce, moving to amend clause ten to provide that the dominion Parliaments in Australia, New Zealand and Newfoundland might at any lime revoke the adoption of sections two to six, said the object was to remove the possibility of doubt that Australia’s sovereign status was in any way affected by the Bill. Sir Thomas Inskip, Solicitor-General, accepted the amendment, which was adopted.

Colonel J. Gretton (Conservative), moving a new clause providing that nothing in the Bill should authorize the Irish Free State Legislature to repeal, amend or alter the Irish Treaty, said that without this provision Irish Separatists could legally take any steps desired. Mr Thomas said nothing would be more fatal to Imperial unity than differentiation between the dominions. The Free State had not a long record, but there was no more stable Government in the. Empire. Mr Cosgrave, after the debate last week, had written to Mr MacDonald stating that the maintenance of the present happy Anglo-Irish relations was absolutely dependent upon the acceptance of each other's good faith. Mr Thomas added that the amendment would safeguard nothing if the Free State elected a Government determined to break the treaty. The amendment would do nothing to stop it. The passage of the amendment would only blazon to the world that the British Government could not trust the Irish people. The Government could not accept the amendment.

Sir Austen Chamberlain said that as a signatory to the Irish Treaty he desired to say he was satisfied with Mr Cosgrave’s public announcement that the treaty was an agreement between two nations standing irrespective of statutory authority upon mutual faith, and could only be altered by common consent. In a spirit of confidence and faith he would support the Government.

Mr Churchill said he felt his opposition to the Bill had in nowise abated. He had the greatest respect and admiration for Mr Cosgrave and for his faithful adherence to the treaty, but the point raised could not be settled by individuals’ assurances. The Free State Government was in a precarious position. It had had to adopt measures more severe than any British country. Tire treaty might become a matter of grave crisis, and they would be responsible if they in anywise weakened British moral interests therein. Mr Baldwin declared that the amendment was futile for the achievement of the purpose the movers desired, and insistence thereupon would be disastrous to the whole Empire. The crux of the question was Imperial relationships. The dominions had all been consulted regarding the Statute. Australia and Canada sought special conditions, and South Africa and Ireland asked for no special provisions because they believed all the necessary protection rested in their constitutions, and that restrictive clauses would be a reflection on their good faith.

Mr G. Lansbury (Labour) supported the Government. He said Labour believed Ireland should be trusted and dealt with exactly the same as the other dominions. The amendment was defeated by 350 votes to 50 and the Bill read a third time.

FURTHEI! INFORMATION

REASON FOR AMENDMENTS..

(British Officoal Wireless.) Rugby, November 24. There was a large attendance in the House of Commons when the committee stage of the Statute of Westminster Bill was taken. There is still anxiety shown in some quarters as to the extent of the changes that may be involved in the United Kingdom’s relations with the dominions, and a number of amendments were tabled to elicit further information. After discussion these were generally either withdrawn or negatived without a division, the main debate centring on the amendment with the object of providing that the Bill shall not authorize any alteration in the Irish Free State agreement.