BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 1 February 1929, Page 6

BRITISH PARLIAMENT

IN THE COMMONS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, Jan. 30. In the House of Commons, the Foreign Secretary was asked lor a statement regarding the altitude the Government proposed to adopt towards the present disturbances in Afghanistan. Sir A. Chamberlain replied: “Hie Government has no intention of interfering in the internal aflairs of Atglianistan by supporting or assisting any parties at present contending for power.. They earnestly desire the establishment of a strong central government, and arc prepared when that government is established to show friendship for the Afghan people by giving such assistance as they in the re-construction and development of the country. King Amanullali formerly announced his abdication to the British Government. and in consequence until it is clear that, despite that abdication,. he is regarded as King by the people of Afghanistan generally, the British Government will be unable to regard his government as the rightful. Afghan Government.” Asked what had been the attitude of the Afghan factions towards the British mission or consulate, Sir A. Chamberlain said various parties had all respected the sanctity of the British Legation at Kabul, although considerable material damage had been done to the buildings last December, when the Legation lay in the line ol fire between the forces ol Amanullali and 1 labibiilla Khan. Similarly the position of the British Consul at Jellalabad appeared to have been respected by all parties, although there had been a report, not confirmed, that the consulate suffered damage in the course of the disturbances. No disturbances had taken place in the are a of t lie .British Consulate at Khandahar. Replying regarding the rescue ol German nationals from Kabul by till’ British aircraft. Sir A. Chamberlain said lie received from the German Ambassador an expression ol warm thanks and the German Government, in a communication to the British Ainon ssador in Berlin, expressed sincere thanks for the assistance rendered by them and by the Indian Government in rescuing German women and children in most difficult circumstances. The German Government requested that thunks also lie conveyed to the Government of India. The Foreign Secretary was asked whether all replies were now to hand from several Dominion officials on the subject of the American draft of the new Arbitration Treaty ■ between the United States and Great Britain.

Nr A. Chamberlain replied the Government. had not received an answer oi one of llie Dominion Governments tc enquiries addressed to all of them last March, and considered a reply ml tw > other Dominion Governments was only received during the last few weeks. In this connection it should bo remembered that, the attention of all Governments was, for the considerable P : " t <’• last year, concentrated on negotiations for the treaty of renunciation of war. which it was necessary to bring to a successful conclusion before taking up more closely the Arbitration 1 1 Oil tv.

Tim British Government were now engaged in the careful examination n»' comparison of observations of the Dominion Governments, as well as ot the material which they themselves bad collected. They attach the highest im portance to obtaining a complete agreement among all His Maesty’s Governments. and further exchanges ol opinion would l>e necessary before tlie\ could send a definite reply. He might add that this treaty was of great importance. as it would presumably form a model for many others. Sir A. Chamberlain stated no special ins!”’ci ions were issued to the Britis’* repr.-i- litati-' 1 in Belgrade regarding r at lolls with the new regime in .Jugoslavia.