THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 8 March 1923, Page 3

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Discussion in commons. ON RUHR OCCUPATION. ICSTKaLIAN AND N.Z. CAUI.E ASSOCIATION. (Received this day at 9.30 a.in.) LONDON, March 8. In tho Commons, Mr Ramsay ■ MacDonald in moving the motion, cabled on Feb. 20th., said until there was a change in public opinion of all countries ,governmental interference would be of little value. The relations between ourselves and France were drifting. Fra nee was rewriting the Versailles Treaty in her interests, without consulting her Allies. Events happening were the first chapter in a series, which would result in war, if not properly handled. Wo should give a moral lead to Europe. Instuid of mastering events, v," were being mastered by them.

Lord Robert Cecil considered ilia proposal rather insufficient for dealing with so grave a situation. Ilow could sue .1 a committee proceed without negotiations and without inteiTerring with tiie negotiations between Governments, and appeal to popular opinion over the heads of Government. It would embitter feeling and consolidate the Eraneli people behind their Government. If the problem was to bo solved they had to tackle security as well as reparations. ami tin 1 only body that could do that was the League of Nations. We should aim at securing, by means of Conference. a temporary inti i national working in Ruhr. Mr Fisher did not firin'.,' a lommitt: would produce any valuable practical result. The lmml -finuld lie .streteliod to Germany. when it became clear she wa- meeting la r obligations. The quesion should be submitted to the League of Nations and the aid of United Stales should be invoked. It should be made plain to France that we regard the problem as one lor international settlement.

Mr Bonar Law. replying, said everyone disliked tlui situation in Ruhr. There was no doubt the French had not gained anything by the occupation. 1 11 deed there had been very heavy losses, and what the end would he, lie did not venture to prophesy, hill the lom a not all mi one side. Germanv’.s jugular vein had been cut. I hat mu-l fi" ruinous to the country, which would he less able to pay reparations than evc-vr. It was no use the Government attempting to do nothing unless public opinion was behind them. Govern men did not believe that intervention at this moment would he ol the least use. It would lie regarded as hostile to France. Having once entered on such An advanture it would be dillicult lor France to find a way out. At the moment Government had nothing to propose. If what was adve.-ated in many speeches were adopted iw would have to lie prepared to enforce our will upon France bv war. lie did not believe any serious French politician contemplated a European bloc against os. j l "' proposed committee was 100 much li.«e •> Council of War and moreover was undemocratic. The motion was talked out.