BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 February 1924, Page 3

BRITISH POLITICS.

PREMIER'S POLICY SPEECH. ursj.vESs men thanked. [Rectum Tki.koraits.] (Received this clay nt Oslo a.m.) LONDON, Fell. El. In Liu.; Mouse of Commons Mr MacDonald (Premier). in his policy speech, r thanked the calm ami sane business men who had warned investors not to ilia ho fools of themselves owinp; to the advent of a Labour Eovernment. lie appealed to the country to keep steady, (sooner or later the country had to become aci|tiainled with the | drivim; hand of Labour and it would b* chid it had come sooner. 'I he sooner the misapprehensions regard iii<j the advent of Labour were proved to he mere hush, the better it would he for everybody concerned.

Mr MacDonald hoped the experience the country and the 'Empire was going to have would make it impossible for any such statements lo he made in the future. The Government was not going to pursue a policy of tranquility. hut of confidence. It intended to take the decision of the Mouse with regard to the ratification of the Lausanne Treaty; also the Treaty of Tangiers. With reference lo the wireless committee's report, the Premier hoped that when it was received d Would he possible to settle the matter ft it ally.

With reference to Russia Mr MacDonald said a complete statement, ul all the outstanding points between her and Kngland would he sent to Moscow. One of the most important points concerned the anti-British ptrpaganda, the cessation of which we would certainly insist upon.

Mr ];icDon;: I*l declared the relations with France had drifted under I’ritain’s Conservative Guvcninienl. and so they eould only have resulted in a fresh European war. lie hoped that a complete agreement would he reached in a few days with regard to - t the Palatinate and before the end el the year France and Britain should ho in wholehearted co-operation with the .other nations establishing conditions for a European settlement. The Premier paid a trihute to *M. Poincare lor the latter s n.-tant and hearty response to his approaches: “I 1 ranee had nothin;.' to fear from any policy we may pursue and T am sure nothing wi;ll arise Ik* tween us hut goodwill anil honest dealing. We must consider the problems of ihe reparations and the Ruhr from the standpoint. of France and Britain and do everything to find a satisfactory agreement.”