NOT ON ANY MISSION

Taranaki Daily News, 26 November 1934, Page 7

NOT ON ANY MISSION

SIR MAURICE HANKEY’S VISIT.

DENIAL IN HOUSE OF COMMONS.

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. London, Nov. 23.

Coincidently with the publication of a cable from Wellington that Sir Maurice Hankey, Sir George Pearce and. the New Zealand Government were discussing defence, Socialist members of the Hbiise bi Comfribns questioned the Prime Minister, Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, regarding Sir Maurice Hankey’s mission. Mr. MacDonald replied that it had never been suggested that Sir Maurice should regard himself as debarred from discussing matters with which he was intimately acquainted. His mission had no political significance. He agreed it was important that Sir Maurice should keep contact with the Dominions in these niatters. Any conversations in that ebnftectiori would be in the nature of supplementing the normal channels of communication.

Mr. Morgan Jones asked Why if Sir Maurice was on a mission his expenses should not be borne by the Government.

Mr. MacDonald: Sir Maurice is not on a mission any more than I was on a mission when I was in Newfoundland, but I Was consulted on matters there. It is perfectly absurd to imagine that anyone is going— . 1

The remainder of . U.e answer was drowned in cheers.