ANTI-AGGRESSION TALKS PROCEEDING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21308, 30 March 1939, Page 7

ANTI-AGGRESSION TALKS PROCEEDING

PRIME MINISTER’S PROMISE British Official Wireless RUGBY, March 28 Great Britain is actively continuing its consultations with other Governments on the issues arising from recent

events. So the Prime Minister (Mr Neville Chamberlain) assured the House of Commons this afternoon, while pointing out that it was essential during the progress of such consultations that their confidential character should be respected, and requesting members not to press him for a further statement until he was in a position to make a complete one, which could only be when Great Britain is in possession of the final views of the other Governments concerned. The Prime Minister invoked an objection to placing all the cards on the table till the hand was played out. At the same time, in his supplementary answers, he expressed understanding of the desire for closer definition of Great Britain’s position and said that it would be readily understood from what he had previously said that what the Government had in mind went a good deal further than consultation. He then added that he did not think he would like to give more details at the moment. He also gave an assurance that Great Britain had in the consultations now in progress made it perfectly clear to the other Governments what Great Britain was prepared to do in certain circumstances.

Finally, Mr Chamberlain promised a debate at the earliest opportunity.