FOREIGN POLICY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 89, 16 April 1938, Page 9

FOREIGN POLICY

ANOTHER QUESTION MR SAVAGE’S STATEMENT LONDON, April 13. Mr M. J. Savage’s statement in reference to Mr Malcolm MacDonald’s statement in the House of Commons yesterday in replying to Mr Mander’s question about New Zealand’s foreign policy, “that it did not altogether state the facts” is given wide prominence.

Mr Arthur Henderson will ask Mr MacDonald in the House to-morrow

“whether he is aware of Mr Savage's statement disagreeing with Mr MacDonald’s statement in the House on Tuesday, and whether he has any statement to make.”

MR MACDONALD’S REPLY

Received April 15, 6.30 p.m. LONDON, April 14.

Mr MacDonald, replying to Mi Arthur Henderson, said: “I have seen Mr Savage’s statements and have ascertained that the report of my answer on which Mr Savage based his statement was incomplete and incorrect. I have now received a message from Mr Savage saying that the full report removes the misunderstanding and makes it clear that my answer was in accordance with the facts.

Mr Hugh Dalton: Has the New Zealand Government at all times been in agreement with the policy?

Mr MacDonald: I have never mad* such a statement.

Mr Dalton: It is the general impression.

Mr Mander: In view of the fact that Mr Savage said that New Zealand disagreed with certain phases cl British policy, will Mr MacDonald say what particular points she disagreed with?

Mr MacDonald: It is clearly impossible to make such a statement. Mr Mander: Will Mr MacDonald clarify the subject after Easter in the

interests of Britain and New Zealand?

Mr MacDonald: My answer has made the position clear. I do not in the least disagree with Mr Savage’s statement, but the point that differences may occur from time to time and have occurred between New Zealand and Britain do not alter the correctness of the statement I made. Mr Dalton gave notice raising the matter after Easter “in view of the unsatisfactory nature of Mr MacDonald’s reply.”