HOUSE OF LORDS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1924, Page 3

HOUSE OF LORDS.

AUSTRALIAN AND N.Z. CAIII.K ASSOCIATION

LKAGCK AND WAR. LONDON. July -’I

Lord Grey of Fallodcit initated an important debate in t'm House ol l.ordregarding the Government's rejection of the longue of Nations pact lor mutual assistance. He insisted that Britain ought to give more reality to the League of Nations, and make it clear that site is prepared to use her strength to uphold the League Covenant in lnture disputes. We were making no progress towards a. sense ol security, hut were making advance towards competition armaments. It was impossible to hold out hopes of preventing tin growth of armamenta unless a srtmnie Tver,* evolved which the Dominion* could support- Lord Grey added that lio would tike to see tl«; Dominions consulted as to whether. ... I ..tore disputes. Britain should he prepared to use all her strength, nut on the merits of any dispute, hut on belmll "I Covenantor the League, lie said t « poliev of isolation for Britain would 1„. a' policy of certain catastrophe lord I’a rumor replied that the Go\ernnmnt was fully alive to the neet-s----itv lor disarmament, w Inch was t essence of the Governments poliey. m.licV, hut nil the Dominions, except the irish Free State, were opposed to the treaty of mutual assurance. It was not possible lor the (<«'c ment to pledge itself to nn.v measure to which the Dominions were oppose* - Jt was impossible to entry out ■ . poliev of (lisarnutment. unless it .Had the united loyalty of nil Dominion*. Without pre-arranged military |>l<i"sa scheme of mutual assistance would Im> a farce and a delusion. Lord Cecil said that, if force were not contemplated, agouiist a ..« which was determined to hii. k t peace of the world. LLc;i;v in.uUl be u» Kill, in Ii- !«)»■• Rritain was going to do at (.tnev.i. Lord Balfour said Air Mac Dom. d > letter proposing an assembly ol all n. t “s in connection with d.sar.nan.cnt was an illusory proposition, which would end in a wrangle, hut he also was doubtful of the value ol the threnty of nmttinl assurance. . . . Lord Grey’s motion was witlultai