HOUSE OF LORDS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1925, Page 1

HOUSE OF LORDS.

[Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.]

PACT AND DOMINIONS. DISCUSSION IN LORDS. LONDON, Nov. 24. In the- House of Lords, Lord Balfour, speaking on flic Locarno Treaty, said lie was sure that the Dominions would realise that it was a great effort on the part of the Home Country to secure peace. The Dominions would see that, if ever war were forced on Britain through the treaty, the moral forces of the world would he behind her in .such a, war, which obviously would he a defensive one. and one in ■tended to check brutal and unnecessary aggression; and. therefore, not merely the feelings of patriotism and common kinship, would move the Dominions to sympathise with the Mother Country, but all the elements of higher morally, to which the Dominions were regularly alive. Tie declared that war in Western Europe, under the. Treaty, would he both unjust and menacing to the heart of the Empire. He was sure the Empire would then l>o united and would work for a single purpose in the cause of peace and of puhlie and international morality. Lord Haldane expressed the opinion Hint it would he best to inform the Dominions of the negotiations as soon as possible, and then leave them to judge for themselves. Lord Cray said that at least on© uncomfortable speech 'regarding the Locarno Treaties had been made in tho Dominions, namely, the speech of General Smuts. Tie (Lord Crev) considered that the debates must have done a great deal to explain the treaties towards the Dominions, who must not regard the treaties as if they were not obligations upon Europe whatever. Ho pointed out the obligations under the League Covenant, ami lie considered flint" they might be explained to the Dominions. Britain, lie said, welcomed the Locarno Pact, because, hv bringing Germany and Franco into political iclations. the possibility of disagreeable eoiisec|Uonees arising from the obligations under the Covenant had much diminished, and the Local no lieaties would diminish the risk that the Dominions already ran of having to take serious action under tho Government. disarmament. LONDON. Nov. 25. In the House of Lords, referring to disarmament as an essential part ol the pacification of the world. Lord Cecil stated that a committee of the League Council would recommend to the Council the continuation of a body to investigate the principles on which disarmament should proceed, and the nature of the programme to he submitted. He added that the Committee would meet on December 3rd. when he would attend on behalf of the British GovemI moot. which was taking the matter most seriously.