THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 August 1921, Page 3

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

CABLE NEWS,

PARLIAMENT’S AD J 0 URNMENT [u* TS^EGRAPH— PER PIIESB association! LONDON, August 18. In view of the position of the Irish question, the English Government has decided to defer the pro"**™. » Parliament until October 18. It wil adjourn to-morrow, however, tlioug the Speaker is given the I>”' ve [ to flum " mon Parliament at short notice. LLOYD GEORGE SPEAKS 'W DOMINION'S AND JAPAN. LfONDON, Augy*t 18. Mr Lloyd George in the House of Commons, made a statement regarding the Imperial Conference stating that.the last few years had witnessed a remarkable development in the constitution and growth of the Empire. The aid which the Dominions gave to the Motherland had astonished not on v the world, but the greatest Empire enthusiasts in the Old Country. The whole course of human even s ias ) _ altered because the British ‘.mpiri proved the fact, not fiction as some thought. “The Dominions, • he saitl. “came to our help in 1914 m support of a policy wherein they had no. voice. The Motherland is now glad to have their opinions in fashioning its future policy.” The main factor in the wav of securing the unity of the Empire, v means of a Conference was by an improvement of a communication which were now receiving their earnest con sic - erations. Naval defence would he con- . sidered by tho different Dominion Parliaments, from whom any proposal must come. The Conference had agreed they must have a naval force equal to that of any other country. They una•nimously recognised that the Japanese had faithfully and loyally observed the treaty during the war. He as* • “Was it suggested that Britain s ion c now turn around .and say to Japan: “Thank you for the trouble you have taken; but we don’t want you any longer 1” (Cries of “no”). Mr Lloyd George said: “The British Empire must behave like gentlemen ” He did not see why it would be impossible to fulfil their obligations, to Japan and at the same time observe a spirit of fraternity to the United States. If the latter and Japan could combine on the problems in the Pacific it would be a great event, and n guarantee for the peace of the world. The surest way to success in the Washington Disarmament Conference would be reached through an understanding on th t . Pacific question.. He was sti hopeful this would ensue at the Washington Conference and lie had frniikldiscussed the foreign policy. A member —“Ireland?” The Premier: “No! Not Ireland! That is not the sort i f a question von can go into of your own free will.” Mr Lloyd George added: “We do not want to interfere in the Dominion internal affairs, nor they in ours; but they want to feel they are part of this amazing organisation which is the first of its kind the world has ever seen. Sir Donald Mac Lean (Leader of the Opposition) said he welcomed the decision not to reduce the constitution of Die Commonwealth of Nations to a written basis, which would be destruc--1 tive to its development on really great lines. He hoped the Premier would be .able to attend th 0 Washington Conference.