The Daily News FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1929. IMPERIAL AND FOREIGN POLICY.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 June 1929, Page 8

The Daily News FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1929. IMPERIAL AND FOREIGN POLICY.

In considering the policy of the new Labour Government in the Old Country, especially in regard to Imperial and Foreign policy, it is advisable to bear in mind that a general election there affects not only Great ‘Britain, but the whole world. The British Empire covers one quarter of the globe, and comprises a quarter of the world’s population. There are in the Empire some sixty millions of the British race, but, above that, four hundred millions of men of every colour, race, creed, and every kind and degree of civilisation. Their welfare, the peace of that whole quarter of the earth, depends upon the maintenance of staple government and wise statesmanship on the part of the British—a responsibility which rested on the twenty-two million electors of the little island of Britain at the recent general election, when the Conservative Party obtained more than 256,000 votes than Labour, but secured thirty less seats. The new Labour Government, which has now assumed office, will have to rely upon the Liberals for keeping them in power, so that there is a safeguard against any attempt at extreme legislation. The Dominions are keenly concerned not only with the policy of the new government in relation to Home affairs, but also as regards Empire and foreign policy, particularly as to Russia and America. It would not be altogether fair to take the views of Labour members, as expressed during the heat of an intense electoral struggle, for an avowal of definite policy, because there is all the difference between irresponsible statements and those contained in an official policy presumed to be well considered by responsible Ministers of the Crown. It is in the latter category that the recent statements by the Rt. Hon. Arthur Henderson have to be considered. There should be satisfaction felt at the attitude of the Government towards the League of Nations, which the Labour Premier considers one of the most essential features of the party’s policy, so much so that he intends to be one of Britain’s representatives on the League Council. That experience should be good for him, for if Labour needs one stimulus more than another, it is to be found in the spirit on which the League was founded. But Mr. MacDonald will probably find that the League is no place for coquetting with foreign policy in the interests of Socialism. In this connection it may be recalled that he said in a speech at the Albert Hall:— “Nowadays no Government in Britain could protect our standard of life except by agreements made with foreign nations through the International Labour Office. He regarded the International Labour Office as being of equal importance to its mother, the League of Nations itself, and, therefore, he laid it down as a cardinal part of the policy ■ of the Labour Government that it would send representatives to Geneva—industrial representatives, not to block progress or complain about the paltry sum of money spent to build up international conditions, but they would regard an active, powerful, authoritative International Labour Office as of the same value as the British Home Office and Board of Trade. • We want peace in Europe, including diplomatic relations with Russia. European settlement, European peace, the establishment of the psychology of neighbourliness, friendliness man to man, mutual confidence and the capacity to put the cards <jn the table and keep none up our sleeves is absolutely impossible with Russia outside, irresponsible and beyond the pale, and therefore we say that if Russia had committed 10,000 times the faults and crimes than even they say she has committed Russia should never be left out by any calm, far-seeing and deep understanding man in this country.”

ft would appear to be a somewhat dangerous experiment to make the aims of Labour one of the chief factors in the policy of the League, though it is rightly included in that body’s minor programme of promoting peace in industry. The question is, what is likely to be the effect of Russia’s admission to the League and her friendly relations with the British Labour Government? We cannot forget the aims of the Soviet, and, if the Moscow Communists are to have their way, the chances for industrial harmony internationally will be very small. Mr. MacDonald’s intention to make a special visit to President Hoover can do no harm, though it may not be productive of any real good. Apparently the policy of the Labour Government towards the Dominions is friendly but vague, and will have to be watched with care. The one great safeguard is the present state of the political parties at Home— Labour can be held in check should it endeavour to put into effect a policy inimical to the interests of the commonwealth of nations comprised in the British Empire.