THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1920, Page 3

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

(Jby .Electric ’ Telegraph—Copyvigiu >

IN THE COMMONS. (Received this dav at 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, June 23. In the Commons, Hon; Bonar Law announced that Government intended proceeding with the Anti-Dumping Bill, though it was impossible to introduce it before the recess. Mr Leslie Wilson stated the Nauru

Agreement was not submitted to the recent meeting of the Council of the , League of Nations. Government were f of opinion that the agreement would * not bo required to be so submitted. On a vote of ten millions, on account of the Army, Hon. Asquith moved a reduction by one million. He complained of the standing army of 338, 000 stating 167,000 were employed outside the Empire, and again urged the withdrawal of the Army from Mesopotamia. He considered it totally inconsistent, if not a fundamental violation of the principle of the League of Nations Covenant, that' considerations of oil and cotton should determine the policy of the Government. Britain had no legal footing in Mesopotamia.. Hon. Lloyd George strongly denied any change in the Government intentions regarding Mesopotamia. If the .British had cleared out of Mesopotamia there would have been civil war. Then, when the League of Nations made Britain a- mandatory power ho would have to organise another expedition costing 150 to 200 millions to reconquer the country. Regarding oil, he no arrangements had .been made with private companies. The whole oil property of Mosul belonged to the Arab State, subject to .prewar ■ arrangements with Turkey because it was necessary to safeguard' the int-r- ---' ests of Americans. It was essential for the development of Mesopotamia. He added civile administrations in both Palestine and Mesopotamia were paying the way, and he repudiated the jdea that the League of Nations might decide who were to be the mandatories thereunder. They might possibly band over even to Germany, countries which cost us hundreds of million of pounds, but the League could .consider the mandate «f the terms were abused or to take the views of _ leaders of the Arab population respecting the best methods of establishing a Goyernmnt when established the expenditure ,V wpujd decrease and the military forces become negligible, Dealing with the question Dardanelles and Bosphorus Hon Lloyd George said Britain was undertaking more than anticipated. He believed France and Italy would be able to contribute jui equal share in the course of time. He believed It was impossible to make in peace in Mesopotamia, or that part world unless we made it clear that our policy must be carried though; namely, releasing non-Turkish poputions from , Turkish sway. Wo. were working our way out of difficulties, hut must keep steady. Not a farthing was spent except to carry out the mission. Mr Asquith’s motion, was defeated by * 286 to 50,