BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 February 1929, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

QUESTIONS IN COMMONS. (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright). (Received this day at 11 a.m.) LONDON, Fel>. 7. Tn the Commons, replying to Mr Wedge wood, Sir A. Chamberlain said United States had not approached him in reference to a conference with the object of arranging a treaty guaranteeing immunity of private, property from seizure at sea. Mr Wedgewood: Do the advantages thought to lie gained by insisting on our right of search, outweigh the drawbacks of armament competition, and also the risk of bringing America into any war against us? Sir A. Chamberlain depreciated such questions concerning relations with America, when the respective naval conditions were under consideration. REPLIES TO QUESTIONS. (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, February (5. The Foreign Secretary was asked in the House of Commons if the British Government at present accorded any official recognition or iriendly support to any of several claimants to the throne of Afghanistan. Sir Austen Chamberlain replied that the British .Minister at Kabul was in unofficial touch with the detfacto authority controlling the city, in connection with local matters such as the safety and evacuation of foreign nationals. Similarly, the British consul at Kandahar was in unofficial touch With the Government of King Ainanullah. As he had already informed the House, the British Government had no intention of interfering in Afghan affairs bv supporting or assisting any of the parties at present contending for powei in that country. Sir It. Hoare stated excellent progress had been made in the preparations for the London to India C ivil Air Service and all the necessary arrangements for the opening of this service in the spring were according to programme, and were satisfactorily in train.