Putting Party Second

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 705, 3 July 1929, Page 9

Putting Party Second

MR. MacDONALD’S APPEAL Friendship of Nations A DESIRE that there should be a closer contact between the nations in bringing about the peace of the world was stressed by the Rt. Hon. Mr. Stanley Baldwin in speaking to the Address-in-Reply debate in the House of Commons. The Prime Minister, Rt. Hon. Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, also spoke and said, in his opinion the parties in the House should regard themselves more as a council of State than as regiments opposing one another. British Official Wireless

Reed. 2.30 p.m. RUGBY, Tuesday. The debate oil the Address-in-Reply opened in the House of Commons this afternoon. Mr. Stanley Baldwin inquired whether in reference to the report of the financial experts on reparations, the proposal as approved by the Government be submitted to Parliament before any final decision was taken. He thought the visit to the United States which the Prime Minister projected was absolutely right. Both countries had suffered from the absence of personal intercourse between their statesmen. Increasing personal intercourse between statesmen in Europe was of first importance and had, he believed, rendered possible such progress as had been made. He expressed full agreement with what was said in the speech on unemployment, improved transport and trade, but asked the Government’s intentions regarding the safeguarding of industry. Concluding, he reminded the House that the Government was a minority one, but said his supporters had no desire to offer fractious opposition. They intended to assist the Government now being carried on, but it would require self-control on both sides in approaching the grave difficulties that faced the country. It would on occasions be essential for the country and the Empire to face the world in a united Parliament. . .. . , The Prime Minister immediately replied. He said it would be the care of the Government when representations were made to them by the respective leaders of either party asking for opportunities to discuss subjects of great interest to the House or of grave importance to the nation, to see that they were given. In view of the serious problems a.t Home and abroad, Mr. MacDonald wondered how far it would be possible. without in any way abandoning any of their party positions or sur. rendering any items of their PJ'df principles and outlook, to considei themselves more as a council of State and less as arrayed regiments facing The Government existed to deal with two dominating concerns. First, by unemployment and social betterment, secondly, peace secured by cordial cooperation of nations. Essential to the first was a sound policy to stimulate trade that would raise the standard of living of the people and produce the confidence that fair play was being done all round, upon which alone industrial peace would rest. Essential to the second was a better understanding with America. He would communicate with the Leaner of the Opposition when he was in a position to make a definite statement on that subject. Conversations with America had already been started. They were purely preliminary and of an exploratory character. No time was being lost in agreeing on modes of procedure and order in which the problems should be approached. The Kellogg Pact had been signed by practically all the nations of the world. The Government was anxious to build upon that disarmament policy which would recognise the Pact as a living and controlling influence upon international policy, and both Governments seek at once to co-operate with the other great naval Powers as soon as the negotiations stage proper has been reached. It was well known, however, that a preliminary understanding between America and Britain was necessary if success is to crown their efforts. The chairman of tile Preparatory Commission on Disarmament set up by the

League of Nations had asged that con- 1 versations should be held between the i naval Powers. The British Government was undertaking its work in the hope that it would contribute toward a solution of the problems engaging the attention of that commission. Regarding the reparations experts’ report, which was a document of great complexity and requiring much explanation, the Government had to accept compromises which it did not altogether like, but it did its best to secure British interests. Three departments of State were deeply involved, the Treasury, For- 1 eign Office and the Board of Trade,, and at the moment they were exam- 1 ining the report with the greatest j care in preparation for the confer- 1 ence of Governments which must j soon be held. ; Immediate questions to be settled j were the date and place of the confer-. ence. The Government had sug-1 gested London. He could make no definite statement yet as to the procedure and main points which had to be raised at the conference, and he pledged himself that every constitutional method that was proper would be followed in order to communicate the situation as fully as possible to Parliament. Mr. MacDonald reminded the House that the publication of the report meant the Dawes plan could not remain in force much longer, and that some new agreement must be “In reaching that agreement I hope everybody will understand, however the negotiations may go, the great generosity of this country in its relations with the Allies after the war, which can be questioned by no one, nor can its meticulous rectitude in fulfilling its bargains and obligations be doubted. I often feel this is not recognised as it should be. . W e are bearing bui'dens which, strictly, and in relation to the capacity of others, ought not to have been imposed upon us. We shall go back on none of our contracts,” added Mr. MacDonald. Passing on to domestic affairs, Mr. MacDonald said the Government had come into possession of a report on the wool industry which they would publish, but not put into operation, and they proposed to treat as a dead letter the late Government’s proposals known as “the white paper.” Conditions under which safeguarding inquiries should be set np, and certain questions connected with safeguarding duties were really Budget ; concerns, and it was not to be expected the Budget policy would be disclosed in advance. Regarding the existing safeguarding duties, supporters of the Government had consistently opposed their imposition and made it abundantly clear that they would reserve the right to remove them when practicable. Opposition to all protective duties had just been overwhelmingly expressed by the electors, and it must therefore be understood the Government would in no case renew those duties should they remain in operation until the statutory period had expired, and they reserved the right to repeal them at an earlier date than fixed for their expiration if it appeared practicable and desirable to do so. In co” -g to conclusions the Governmen * ild have regard to the inconvenic 3 which changes of policy inflicted on trades and to the revenue aspects of the question. Proceeding, he referred to coal, cotton and steel industries and to the need for changes in the law regarding the elections.