THE LOCARNO PACT.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 November 1925, Page 2

THE LOCARNO PACT.

RATIFIED BY BRITAIN. DEBATE IN COMMON'S. [Australia & N.Z. Cable Association ] LONDON, Nov. 18. The House of Commons rejected tho Labour amendment in connection with the Locarno Pact, by 332 votes to 130. The Pact was ratified by 375 votes to 13. In the House of Commons to Mr Llovil George’s complaints of failure 'to consult the Dominions, Air P. A. Hurd said that Air Chamberlain had informed the Dominions weekly what was happening, hut. with the exception of New Zealand, they had not replied, the reason being that they had things nearer home to think about. The Locarno debate was opened today in the House- of Commons, which was crowded. Air A. Chamltorlain (Se: rotary for Foreign Affairs) was warmly cheered as lie moved the nporoval and ratification of tho Treaty. Ho regretted, he said, that the Opposition had notified an amendment, but he pointed out that the amendment did not- criticise the Locarno Agreement, n- challenge the Government’s policy in accepting the limited obligation of the Agreement. Tie emphasised that the Government regarded the Locarno Part, not as the end. hut as the bobnniog of appeasement and reconciliation. The Locarno Pact would assist the Council and the Assembly of tho League of Nations to bring the disarmament problem to a successful conclusion. Air Chamberlain declared that Russia. according to his information, was not prepared to join the League of Na{ions on any terms. He emphasised that Britain remained the sole 1 judge of what constituted an immediate danger of war. and he said that he regretted it had been impossible to confer with the Governments of the Dominions •iml India before the Locarno Conference. hut they had been kept fully informed of everything that had been ■lone. Their lilvertv and freedom of action had boon safeguarded specially •ii the Treaty. It recognised that nrily their ow'ti Governments, acting with the authority of their own Parliaments. could take for them the obligation that the Imperial Government asked the House of Commons to ap.irme for Britain; hut- the Governmenthoped to discuss the matter fully at the next Imperial Conference, which, he hoped, would not he too long delayed. Ho did not think it- possible to treat matters so important- and covering so wide it field hv despatch or l,v cable. "Personal cnnt.net' and exolaiiation were necessary for a- true appreciation of the position. He concluded liv appealing for tho ratification of the Treaty for the safeguarding of peace and the laying of a foundation for a reconciliation and friendship with their enemies of a few years a <ro. Mr Ramsay MacDonald severely criticised the recent speech of Air Ormshv Gore, in which, lie said, evil suggestions had been made that- Germany had been brought into a new alliance against- A losco v. Ho asked was it tho Government's view that- the -joonmo Agreement had been engineered for the purpose of uniting Western l ivilisation against Russia. Mr Chamberlain replied: “No! And I have constantly repudiated any idea of pursuing such a policy.” Mr MacDonald said he was very delighted to hoar it and he congratulated Mr Chamberlain on his successful efforts to create a peace spirit, hut ho said that unless an opportunity wore taken swiftly to seize the chances thus opened up. the harvest- would never ripen. He added that, as regards the Dominions and India, ho was unahle to conceive a- more calamitous system of concluding imperial foreign policy than the method enshrined by tho Loonr-:o Root. Air r. lin'd George was more congratulatory than critical. He paid a tribute to Mr Uliamlierlain and Af. B’i 'irl. and especially to the Germans for I heir great- act of courage. He ii clared that to the nosegays which Air Chamberlain had received from different nations, ho would like to add the li'unhl ‘ leek. He was of opinion, howeve-. that the failure to consult the Dcu-iuic ns was a serious error, which might have grave consequences. In moving the I.ahour amendment ((•aided yesterday). Air Ponsonby said I' ' thought tile Treaty could Ik? interpreted as a grouping of the Western Powers against Russia, with the result of throwing Russia into the arms of Asia. AH- Chamberlain, replying said he regretted that the circumstances of the different Governments of the Empire had precluded the possibility of a conference with them tiefore the Home advisers entered into the negotiations with' the foreign countries. He did not'■lame the Dominion Governments, which wore unable to meet them at a moment’s lr tico hut Britain had been facet! with a situation which would imt brood delay. He emphasised a desire to pursue a policy of full harmony, a'cord and agreement at every stage with the Dominions, and he pointed out that the right had been reserved for the Dominions to adhere, or not to adhere, to the Treaty. He hoped that the incident would excite a keener desire throughout the Empire to find machinery by which foreign policy would become in every act and in every lionr the foreign policy of the Empire, and not the Foreign policy of Britain. (Received this dav at 8 a.m.) LONDON', Nov. 20. With the execution of some two dozen who abstained the niaiority of the Labourites voted for Afr Chamberlain’s motion in the Commons.