SECRET NEGOTIATIONS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 773, 20 September 1929, Page 14

SECRET NEGOTIATIONS

INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE NEW ZEALAND’S SIGNATURE THE SU2*’S Parliamentary Reporter PARLIAMENT BLDGS., Thurs. The decision of New Zealand to sign the optional clause in the statute of the Permanent Court of International Justice was announced in the House of Representatives today by the Prime Minister. It was at the end of a long debate on an urgent question on the subject by the Leader of the Labour Party, Mr. H. E. Holland.

The decision was confirmed by a cable message in the evening papers announcing that all the Empire would be signatory to the clause tomorrow. “The High Commissioner, representing New Zealand, at the League of Nations Assembly,” said Sir Joseph Ward, “has been authorised to sign the optional clause, subject to certain reservations which are the result of a consultation between representatives of all his Majesty’s Governments, and details of which must at the moment be confidential. I understand that the signature on behalf of New Zealand, in common with other parts of the British Empire, will be effected at Geneva today, and details of the terms of the signature should be available tomorrow. Our main consideration throughout discussion of the subject has been to attain united action by all his Majesty’s Governments.” The subject was brought up by Mr. Holland, who moved an adjournment of the House to raise, as a matter of urgency, the delay in New Zealand's signature. It was a question of importance to the whole world, and New Zealand was in the dark as to what the Dominion was doing. Sir Joseph Ward interjected that everything had been confidential up to the present. Mr. Holland reviewed the operations in connection with the signing of the clause by the nations of the world, and said that it was a pity that it had been decided at the last Imperial Conferenco tha.t the time was inopportune for signing the clause. Now, however, the British Labour Government and Liberal Party stood for the signing of the clause, and the decision was supported by M. Briand, Premier of France. Mr. Holland wanted to know what reservations there were to prevent New Zealand from signing the clause to prevent war. The Irish Free State had signed. He wanted information as to New Zealand’s attitude. Sir Joseph Ward said that Mr. Holland did not appear to recognise that he was freely discussing matters which the Prime Minister of England had bound upon Sir Joseph Ward as secret. He stressed the confidential nature of the cable communications which had passed between him and the Prime Ministers of other parts of the Empire on the subject. To answer Mr. Holland’s questions would involve a breach of confidence and the breach of honourable arrangements entered into with representatives throughout the Empire. This was an impossible suggestion. Did Mr. Holland think the Prime Minister should be put in such a position.

Mr. Holland asked if it would have been possible to make a statement to the House intimating that New Zealand would sign with certain reservations.

Sir Joseph said that all negotiations had been characterised by the utmost secrecy. “Are you suggesting that it is a breach of confidence to state a policy,” asked Mr. Holland.

Sir Joseph Ward: I am dealing with a matter that has been the subject of secret correspondence sjnee March last. He said that he expected a communication today from the British Prime Minister which would enable him to discuss the question freely. He concluded with the statement of New Zealand’s decision to sign.