MINISTER ANSWERS QUESTIONS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20672, 10 March 1937, Page 9

MINISTER ANSWERS QUESTIONS

SEQUEL TO SPEECH OF AMBASSADOR THORNY QUESTION OF ABYSSINIA United Press Association—By Elprtria Telegraph— Copyright LONDON, March 8. The Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs was questioned in the House of Commons about Herr von Ribbentrop’s recent speech at Leipzig. Lord Cranborne said he had read the report of the speech, but did not consider any formal action was necessary or desirable. Regarding the colonies, he recalled the previous pronouncement of the Government’s policy. Lord Cranborne had a number of questions to answer of the reported disorders at Addis Ababa. He replied that while it would be realised that precise details are in the circumstances difficult to obtain, the Foreign Secretary had received information tending to show that, following the attempted assassination of General Graziani, scenes of grave disorder occurred at Addis Ababa, in the course of which reprisals of a severe character were taken by the Italian soldiery, resulting in a large number of deaths, and extensive destruction of property of British subjects. The protected persons concerned, who were arrested when the outbreak occurred had now been released. No British lives were lost. “VICIOUS CIRCLE OF RISING ARMAMENTS FOREIGN MINISTER’S CONFESSION United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph Copyright LONDON, March 8. In a speech at Aberdeen, the Foreign Secretary said that while at this time no responsible British Government could do other than ask the nation’s endorsement of the rearmament programme, it was none the less clearly their duty to seize the first opportunity to cut this vicious circle of rising armaments. Mr Eden said it was clear that foreign affairs would be one of the major subjects for discussions at the forthcoming Imperial Conference, and it was impossible to over-estim te the value of a free interchange of views between the Governments of the Commonwealth of these issues, particularly at the present time. HEAVY BURDENS OF OFFICE SECRETARY FOR AIR FEELS STRAIN British Official Wireless (Received March 9, 5.5 pan.) RUGBY, March 8. The Secretary of Air (Viscount Swinton) upon whom a heavy strain has fallen in connection with the accelerated programme of the Air Ministry, has been advised by his doctor to take a short rest. All arrangements have been made for the active prosecution of the air programme during Viscount Swinton’s absence of about four weeks.