IN THE LORDS

Hokitika Guardian, 16 November 1928, Page 5

IN THE LORDS

DEBATE ON DISARMAMENT

United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

(Received this day at 12.25. p.m.) RUGBY. November 15.

There was a short debate in tin* House of Lords to-day on the subject of disarmament. It was begun hv Lord Parmoor. who was British representative to the League of Nations while the Labour Government were in office in 1924.

Lord Parmoor moved that- the House regretted that the British delegation to the recent meetings of the League Assembly did not give effective support to a further policy o'f disarmament and all-inclusive arbitration. Lord Cushoiulcn. who* is acting as Foreign Secretary, and is tin; present representative to the League of Nations. replied. He referre ! Lord Parmoor to the statements which he had already made oil this subject. He repudiated Lord Parmoor’s contention that if the protocol proposed by the Labour Government had been accepted, evervthing else would have iolloweo successfully. On the contrary, he believed if the protocol had iinfortimatoly been carried. so if ji r from helping disarmament, we should have had to increase our naval and military forces in order fo bo in a position to make good oin p liabilities under that instrument. This eountrv had given every possible demonstration of its desire to go to any possible length in Urn attempt to reach agreement on disarmament. He entirely repudiated any idea that the backward position in regard to disarmament which he regretted as much as Lord Parmoor. was due in any way to act and omissions ol the present. Government. The onlv point of disagreement between himself and Lord Parmoor was a s to the most- effective and feasible method for a peaceful settlement ol disputes. The Government proilerml the method of bilateral treaties or regional treaties, to those which were lelt open for signature by any State that came along, lie submitted that Lord Parmoor had utterly tailed to substantiate the charge in his motion. The motion was defeated by 33 votes to 10.