BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1929, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

IN THE COMMONS. 1

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received this dav at 10.30. a.m.) RUGBY, July 17.

The First Lord of the Admiralty, Mr A. V. Alexander, stated in the Commons to-day that the Prime Minister intended to make a pronouncement in Parliament upon the whole question of naval armament before the summer recess.

Lieut.-Commander Kenworthy asked what was the position with regard to the British proposal, now supported by the American Government for the illegnlising of the submarine by mutual agreement and whether the First Lord was considering the renewal off this proposal at the next conference on naval armaments.

Mr Alexander replied the declaration of the British Empire delegation remained the opinion of the Government but until other nations acceded to this opinion no agreement was possible. The possibility of reaching an agreement on this matter was constantly borne in mind by the Government and the re-statement of the British Government’s opinion would be made at the first available moment.

Answering a question, Mr Alexander said no decision could yet be communicated regarding the further construction of the battleship base at Singapore. A number of important and difficult matters concerning other Departments had to be considered and no decision could be taken without consultation. He could not say if a decision could be reached before the summer recess.

The Foreign Secretary (Mr A. Henderson) was asked whether he would, in accordance with article eleven of the Covenant of the League of Nations, use his position as a member of the Council to get a conference of Balkan nations with a view to the settlement of major outstanding problems between those nations.

Mr Henderson replied that regarding the recent tension along the Yugo-Slav-Bulgarinn frontier he preferred to assume for the present that the two Governments concerned would he able to remove it by direct negotiations, without the intervention of the League.

Beplying to another question, Mr Hendefson said lie" was prepared to restore the practice of 1924 and place on the table of the House of Commons all treaties with foreign governments prior to ratification.