LOCARNO TREATY.

Waikato Times, Volume 99, Issue 16654, 20 November 1925, Page 5

LOCARNO TREATY.

RATIFIED BY BRITAIN

FUTILE LABOUR ATTACK.

COMMONS APPROVE PACT. The British House of Commons has ratified the Treaty of Locarno by 375 votes to 13. There was a Labour amendment to the motion for adoption, but it was rejected by 332 votes to 130, and the majority of - the Labour members afterwards voted for ratification. In the debate the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs said the Government rogarded the Locarno Pact not as the end, but as the beginning, of the work of appeasement and reconciliation.

(Reuter.) LONDON, November 18. The House of Commons to-clay rejected the Labour Party’s amendment in connection with the treaty of Locarno by 332 votes to 130. The treaty was then ratified by 375 votes to 13. When the debate opened the House

was crowded. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr Austen ChamV berlain, was warmly cheered as he rrioved the approval and ratification of the treaty. Mr Chamberlain said he regretted that the Opposition had given notice to move an amendment, but he pointed out that the amendment in question did not criticise the Locarno agreement nor challenge the Government's policy in accepting the limited obligaiions of that agreement. The Government regarded the Locarno Pact not as the end, but as the

beginvng of the work of appeasement end reconciliation, H would assist the Council of the Assembly of the League of NaVom to bring the disarmament problem to a successful cone;','’on. According to his information Russia was not prepared to join the League of Nations on any terms. Britain remained the sole judge of what ’constituted an immediate danger of war. Dominions Left Unfettered.

Mr Chamberlain said lie regretted

that it had been impossible to confer with the Governments' of the Dominions and India before the Locarno agreement was reached, but they had been kept fully informed of everything that had been done. The liberty and freedom of action of the Dominions had been specifically safeguarded in the treaty. The latter recognised that only the Dominions’ own Governments, acting with the authority of their own Parliaments, could take for them the obligation which the British Government asked the House of Commons to approve for Britain. The Government hoped to discuss Ihe matter fully at the next Imperial Conference, which he hoped would not be too long delayed. He did not think it was possible to treat matters of such importance and covering so wide a field by the despatch of a cablegram. Personal contact and explanation were necessary for a true appreciation of the position.

Mr Chamberlain concluded by appealing for the ratification of the treaty as a means of safeguarding peace and of laying the foundation for reconciliation and friendship with the enemies of a few years ago.

MacDonald Pleads for Russia.

Mr Ramsay MacDonald, Leader or the Labour Parly, severely criticised a recent speech made by Mr W. Ormsby-Gore, Uniicr-Secrelary for the Colonies, on which he said the evil suggestion had been based that Germany had been brought into a new alliance against Moscow, lie asked if it was the Government’s view that the Treaty of Locarno had been engineered for the purpose of uniting western civilisation against Russia Mr Chamberlain replied: “No. And I have constantly repudiated any idea of pursuing such a policy.” Mr MacDonald said he was very delighted to hear It. He congratulated Mr Chamberlain on his successful efforts to create a spirit of peace, but, be said, unless the opportunity w6re swiftly taken to seize the chance thus opened up the harvest would never ripen. As regards the Dominions and India Mr MacDonald said he could not conceive a more calamitous system of conducting Britain’s foreign policy than the method enshrined by the Locarno Pact.

Lloyd G'eorge Praises Germans. The Leader of the Liberal Party in the House, Mr Lloyd George, was more congratulatory than critical. He paid a tribute to Mr Chamberlain and to M. Briand, French Foreign Minister, and especially to the Germans for their great act of courage. To the nosegays which Mr Chamberlain had received from different nations, Mr Lloyd George said he would like to add a humble leek. He was of the' opinion, however, that the failure of the Government to consult the Dominions, was a serious error which might have grave consequences. Mr P. Hurd, Conservative member for Wilts, said Mr Chamberlain had informed the Dominions every week what was happening, but with the exception of New Zealand they had not replied. The reason was that they had things nearer home to think about. In moving the Labour amendment Mr A. W. 11. Ponsonby, member for Sheffield, said he thought the treaty could bo interpreted as grouping tho western Powers against Russia. This would result in throwing Russia into the arms of Asia, Mr Chamberlain In Reply. Mr Chamberlain, in replying, said he regretted that the circumstances of the different Governments of the Empire had precluded the possibility of holding a conference with them before their Home advisers entered into negotiations with foreign countries.. lie did not blame the Dominions’ Govcrments, which were unable to meet tlicm at a moment’s notice, but Britain had been faced with a situation which would not brook delay. Tile Minister emphasised his desire to pursue a policy of full harmony, accord, and agreement at every stage with the Dominions. lie again said the right had been reserved for the Dominions to adhere or not to adhere to the treaty.

He hoped the incident would excite a keener desire throughout the Empire to find machinery by means of which Britain’s foreign policy would become, by every act, and at every hour, the foreign policy of the Empire, not the foreign policy of Britain. The amendment was then put, and Aon its defeat Mr Chamberlain’s motion was carried.

With the exception of about 24 Lahour members, who abstained from voting, the majority of that party voted ur Mr Chamberlain’s motion.