LORDS’ DEBATE ON LEAGUE COUNCIL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17781, 26 February 1926, Page 1

LORDS’ DEBATE ON LEAGUE COUNCIL.

RECONSTRUCTION MOVE AROUSES ANTAGONISM. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Beuter’s Telegrams. LONDON, February 24. In the House of

Lords tlie motion of Lord Parmoor, that on the occasion of the admission of Germany to the League Council it was undesirable to raise the question of the general reconstruction of the Council or further to increase its members, furnished an occasion for plain speaking on the League issue. Lord Parmoor reiterated the danger of creating tlje impression that the reconstitution of the Council was dictated by the necessity of grouping the powers and thus balancing rival interests. He declared that he had read Sir Austen Chamberlain’s speech 3 r esterday apprehensively. He was of the opinion that it was unfair to the other members of the League to raise a matter of such importance at present, and the question should.be first raised in the Assembly for public and open discussion. Lord Phillemore, in strongly opposing the increase, said Council must not become the cockpit of rival interests. He said he was much struck by an article in a South African newspaper saying that if it became the cockpit the only thing to do was to keep out of it altogether. Lord Cecil, replying, said that he had no desire to say much at the present stage, but it was a mistake to think that the admission of Germany had raised this question It was much truer to say that had been postponed because it was felt that when Germany entered that would \be the proper time to deal with the question, which had been constantly raised earlier. The Government did not desire to deprive Parliament of the right to express its views. Moreover, the British delegates ought to go to Geneva with instructions. Nevertheless, they should be given certain liberty of action, so as to debate the matter honestly and fairly with other States. The question was not raised by the British Government, but if it were raised at aU it would be raided by others, and Britain could not tell her co-members that they had no right to raise a question which they were perfectly justifier| in Raising.