BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1929, Page 5

BRITISH POLITICS.

IN THE COMMONS

PRIVY COUNCIL QUESTION

(British Oliicial Wireless.)

(Received this day at noon.) RUGBY, Nov. 27

A statement made in the Irish Free State Parliament by the Minister of Defenie (Mr Blylhe) in which ho is reported to have, repudiated the authority of tlie Judicial Committee ol tne I'rivy Louiu-il as a Court of Appeal, was subject to a question in tne House of Commons.

Sir Kingsley Wood (Conservative) asked the Prime Minister whether it was the intention of the Govcrnmeiu to maintain the terms of tne Irish Treaty, and ensure that the position of the Judicial Committee of tin. I’rivy Council as the supreme Conn of Appeal f(3r the Dominions, including tiie Irish Free State, should al all times be fully safeguarded. The Prime Minister replied that when so much of the constitutional working of our Imperial machinen was altered, in consequence of resolutions passed by the Imperial Conference in 1920, the Privy Council s position was left for consideration by the next Imperial Conference, and until that had met, the position remained where- it was. The Government had had no communication from the Ins. Free State Government on this matter. " Such a communication, and such a communication alone, would receive his official attention.

Replying to a further question, the Prime Minister said lie hud never experienced from the Irish Free State any inclination to do anything but observe its honourable obligations.

REPLIES TO QUESTIONS

RUGBY, Nov. 27

In the Commons to-day, Air Henderson replied to several questions regarding the resumption of relations with Russia. Hie said he was not yet able to give the exact date oil which the British Ambassador to Russia and Sovicj; Ambassador -to this country would enter upon their duties. He assured the questioner that members of the British Embassy at Moscow would enjoy the same diplomaticprivileges as would he granted members of the Soviet Embassy in this country. They would indeed enjoy the usual diplomatic privileges.

He denied that in his discussion with representatives of the Republic any reference was made to 'financial assistance.

The Foreign Secretary was asked whether seeing certain hostile acts had been committed by the Union of ■Soviet Republics against the Republic of China, both parties ' having signed the Kellogg Pact,/lie would consider tile bringing of this breach before the other Governments that had attached their signatures to the Pact with a view to bringing about a peaceful settlement. Mr Henderson replied that the Kellogg Pact provided no machinery for dealing with any case of 'infraction or apparent infraction of its terms, but merely stated in a preamble that any signatory which migl /'"* thereafter seem to promote its national interests by resort to war, would be denied the benefits furnbiVd 'bv that Treaty. He understood the Chinese Government might anneal to the League of Nations. The Covenant of the League provided machinery for dealing with such an up- I >al and he 'thought it would be bert to await develoments in this direction in the first place. Sir Austen Chamberlain, former Foreign Secretary, asked whether any communication had passed between United States Government and whether any suggestion was made by the United States Government, for common representations to Russia against the breach of the Kellogg Pact.

Air Henderson replied that in the early davs of this matter, communications did pass and he informed the House at the time that we were prepared to participate in any joint action calculated to bring this dispute to a peaceful termination. He thought that siime then no further communication had been received but that a communication had come from another Government and if joint action could be taken we were prepared to participate. Sir Austen Chamberlain asked would Mr Henderson consider if it would not be proper for the Government to initiate fresh negotiations with the United States Government 'on the subject? Mr Henderson replied: “I can only sav the matter was under consideration this very morning. As 1 have intimated, we are prepared to take part in a joint action. I will consider the suggestion whether we 'ought to initiate that action.” A member asked if it was not possible to adopt other machinery than the League of Nations. Air Henderson replied: “The action I was contemplating was not action associated with the League ol Nations in the first instance, but joint action by the signatories of the Kellogg Pact, who include both Russia and the Knited States.”

Air A. V. Alexander (First Lord of the Admiral tv) stated the contributions promised by the .Malay States towards the cost of Singapore Base were conditional upon the proposals remaining untilte*d. The land was to twert to the Settlements Government ifi the evetphif nnv alteration regarding the base and the Admiralty was to pay its market value. Tho contributions promised by New Zealand and Hong Kong were not subject to express conditions, except the implied condition that the money was to he spent on the development, of the base,