THE LEAGUE AND ITS POWERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 March 1932, Page 4

THE LEAGUE AND ITS POWERS.

For many years it has been an unwritten law that foreign policy shall not be made a party matter in Great Britain. Ministers have never hesitated to give their full confidence to. the House of Commons or to ask for its forbearance until that confidence can be given without risk. Parliament has responded in the same spirit, and the strength of Great Britain in international affairs has been increased accordingly.. It was not surprising that the Foreign Secretary, Sir John Simon, should remind the Labour«opposition on Tuesday that harsh words did not help international troubles. The leader of the Labour Party had asked rather querulously what Great Britain’s policy in China really implemented, and had added criticism of Japan’s action and attitude that betokened little sense of responsibility. Sir John Simon maintained that Great Britain had acted through the League of Nations and that the League had exercised a beneficent influence during the recent outbreak of hostilities between Japan and China. Aided by the United States, the moral force of the League did much, he said, to brin o about a spirit of reasonableness between the combatants. The League had done so by the exercise of its mediatory rather than its coercive powers. The Minister reminded the House that unanimity for mediatory purposes was much easier, to attain than for coercive action, coercion raising at once the question of the individual responsibilities of the members of the League. Coming from one who has been conducting the delicate negotiations at Geneva, and, indirectly, at Shanghai, Sir John’s warning not to “rush” the League must have considerable weight. Supporters of mediation can at least claim that hostilities have ceased, Japanese troops are returning home, and. the entanglements which led to fighting are to be investigated by an impartial commission approved by the League. Upon its findings both China and Japan have tentatively agreed to shape their future policy. If the undertaking is honoured it is one calculated to do much towards keeping the peace and enhancing the prestige of the League. ” ' ' . . A