THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 16 June 1921, Page 2

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT

- • BRITISH POLICY STATEMENT

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION LONDON, June 14.

When the House of Commons was in Commitee of Supply on the Middle East vote, Mr W. Churchill made a statement of the Government policy. He said he would remind the House that the Government, having accepted the mandate, must endeavour to do its duty honourably and discharge obligations which were entered upon with their eyes open. The Government must resolutely redeem its reputation, whether its course were popular or unpopular. He admitted that the obligations were not limited. A point might be reached when they should have to admit failure, and would riot he justified in, demanding further sacrifices from the taxpayers. Mr Churchill added that after a most careful, unprejudiced consideration of the whole subject; it would be untrue to say that they had failed or that their resurces did not enable them to discharge their obligations.

HEAVY MILITARY OUTLAY

LONDON, June 14

Mr Churchill continued that at the time the Armistice was signed, over seven hundred thousand soldiers, followers and refugees were on the pay lists. The rationing strength had now been reduced to two hundred thousand. The estimated expenditure for the current year in Mesopotamia and Palestine ,when all the proposed reductions were given effect to, would amount to thirty-five millions. ■

* The estimated expenditure next year would not, he said, exceed nine" or ten millions.

The Government was prepared to create a distinctly Arab Government in Mesopotamia. It would be elected by a National Assembly. It would be allowed an Arab Army for national defence. The policy was tio create an Arab State in Irak, friendly to Britain. The Feesul there had been informed that if lie were acceptable to the people as a ruler, the British Government would support him. Mr Churchill said there was greater danger of trouble in Palestine this year than in Mesopotamia. The only cause for unrest in Palestine arose out of the Zionist movement and Britain’s promises regarding it. But for that, he said, the existing British garrison might be considerably reduced. The Zionist immigration scheme had introduced many thousand Jews. This was greatly resented by the Arabs, who believed that •in the next few years they might be swamped, and be driven out. These fears were cpiite illusory. It was Britain’s policy to assist France in Syria in every way. Both must adopt a policy of appeasement to the Turks and Arabs if their policy in Mesopotamia and Palestine was to be carried out successfully and they must have a lasting settlement with Turkey. If that were obtained, he was convinced the Government’s policy in the Near East would be successful.

POLICY APPROVED (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, June 15 In the Commons Lord Robert Cecil approved of Hon. W. Churchill’s policy and regretted it was not carried out 2i years ago. General Townshend described the Arabs in Mesopotamia as treacherous. They only respected force and strength. Lord Harmsworth urged the withdrawal from Mesopotamia and Palestine, on the ground that we could not nfford the expenditure. ..