THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1920, Page 3

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

DISCUSSION IN COMMONS. | ''REUTER’fI” TELEGRAM.] (Received this (lay at 12.25 p.m) LONDON, Aug 16. In the Commons following Hon Bouar Law, Hon Asquith said he considered Government had taken the proper course in 'connection with Poland. It was monstrous for Government to undertake further warlike operations with out Parliament’/; approval. Tho peace of the world was now a thing worth purchasing at almost any price, short of dishonour. Moreover, peace ought not to bo beyond tho of the combined statesmanship of Europe, with tho help of tho League of Nations,

Hon Clynes disagreed with the statement that there had not been any variation of the peaceful purpose of Government through the past week. He declared there would have lieen less suspicion if they had known what was transpiring at the recent conferences. He disputed the contention 'that the Council of Action was a challenging constitution, because the League of Nations was part of their constitution, and

it had not been used in this connection. He emphasised that if Government refused at such a time to use part of the costitution which made for peace, then workmen must not forfeit the right to strike, if war could be thus prevented.

Lord Robert Cecil dissociated himself from the views that- Government negotiations were successful. He said the threat of direct action was a threat of insurrection. Last Tuesday there was no danger of Britain being dragged into a sudden war. Nevertheless Labour uttered an ill-advised threat which might have unfortunate results in the future/

Lloyd George depreciated using the League of Nations as a weapon to attack Government and pointed, out that the League’s existence was largely due to British support. Government stood by the League. The League could not be invoked hitherto as regards Poland, as the action of-the League dopended on the unanimity of its members. It was useless to attempt to conceal the fact that tho Allies differed as regards the Russo-Polish situation. Consequently, the League could not have dope more to reach some measure of agreement than the Supreme Council had done and was doing. Furthermore Russia emphatically refused any intervention by the League. Continuing, Hon Lloyd George refuted the criticism as regards secrecy of tho Supreme Council meetings, and declared they were given full publicity. LQNDON, August 17.

Replying to Clynes in defence of tho Council’s action, Hon Lloyd George said Clynes claimed to be a democrat, and constitutionalist. Clynes argued that the constitution was an unwritten one, and that was incorrect. When a new body was established and substituted for Parliament it was a dangerous doctrine for Labour to suddenly establish a body of men who said we will formulate a part of the constitution for ourselves. We will not submit it to Parliament because tho elected representatives do not count, therefore we are going to declare by a resolution carrid after 2 or 3 hours discussion, that henceforth the constitution represented one section of the community. That was one of tho most formidable challenges pver given to democracy and without hesitation every Government must accept this challenge. The Labour Party knew perfectly well what was tho policy of the Government, and their action when there was no issue involving peril of community, and when Government had taken the responsibility in full accord with public opinion, was one of the most unjustifiable actions ever undertaken by a responsible body in this country. It was done to impress the people with the idea that without this dire threat the country would be plunged into war. Every responsible Labour member know that Government was striving strenuously and consistently for peace. He hoped soon to be able to publish all Government’s despatches to Ppland. They would show that Britain depreciated tjfe Poljsh invasion, and solemnly warned the Poles that if the invasion was undertaken they could not count on the support of British opinion. Goverment had not deviated a hair’s breadth from this policy throughout. Concluding Lloyd George emphasised the need for preserving the unity of nations as it was preserved in the face of greater danger, but resolutions like the Council of Action of Friday last, would not help the cause of peace. Such action roused a deep fear and anxiety in the minds of millions, and to what it meant, and fear of most, was it would cause war. This fear was that democratic institutions of a country were to be subverted by some tyrannical idea imposed by force of arms. I aßk them not to repeat that expeiini'ent. If they do it will he difficult to preserve an atmosphere of calm judgment, which is essential to the peace of the worlcj.