LABOUR AND RUSSIA.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 536, 17 June 1909, Page 7

LABOUR AND RUSSIA.

TSAR'S VISIT.

PROTESTS IN HOUSE OF COMMONS.

MR. THORNE REBUKED. I (BT TELEQEAPH—ntESS ASSOCIATION—COPVBIOHT.) (Rec. June 16, 10.10 p.m.) London, June 16. In the House of Commons the Speaker rebuked Mr. Will Thome, Labour member for West Ham (South), for using a discourteous expression towards tho Tsar in connection with the forthcoming visit of "the Tsar to Britain.

Several questions—prompted by strong fooling with regard to prison severities in Russia—were asked concerning tho Government's attitude towards tho Tsar's visit. Tho Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Sir Edward Grey, replied,: 'JJlio visit is among a series of visits that are to bo paid by Heads of States. It is in accordance with international courtesy. The Government tako full responsibility for the visit.

IMPOLICY OF PIN-PRICKS AND INSULT. Mr. Thorne figured in the Labour protests against tho King's visit to tho Tsar at Reval last year. Mr. Thome asked in the House of Commons whether . the visit meant that the Government acquiesoed "in the brutal murders and outrages that have occurred in Russia." He was rebuked by the Speaker. Colonel Sir Ivor -Herbert, Liberal member for Monmouth South, warned tho Labour members that a policy of pin-pricks and insulting the Tsar was unlikely, to promote peaceful relations with Russia, !or a reduction of tlie crashing weight of armaments. Sir Edward Grey, Secretary for ■ Foreign Affairs, in what Mr. Balfour later on described as a dignified and able speech, emphasised the fact that tho King, in visiting'the Tsar, was acting under the constitutional advice of his Ministers, and that nothing would be, done v;hich would in any way impair the responsibility of Cabinet. No negotiations, said. tho Minister, were afoot for any new treaty or convention, and none would bo initiated. The Government desired that the King's visit should have a beneficial effect on the relations of the two countries. After dwelling on the value of the Anglo-Russion Convention, Sir Edward Grey, reverted to the visit, and said he was prepared to stand or fall by a policy of agreement, co-operation, and. peace, in contradistinction to a policy whjoh sooner or later would lead to war. He added!—

"Moreover, tho Russian system of government is improving, while interference, or the exercise of any pressure, as advocated by the supporters, of the amendment, could only injure the cause it is intended to serve." . Later on, Mr. Keir Hardie referred to the "atrocities" of the Russian Government. He was compelled to withdraw the word.