THE PEACE TREATY.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 October 1919, Page 94

THE PEACE TREATY.

A ROTABLE EVEXT. MR. HUGHES' SPEECH. Mr. Hughes' first speech in the Federal House of Representatives after liis return from the Pence Conference was a notable effort, listened to with close attention by a full House. Two points from the speech, the amount of the indemnity to be received by Australia una the White Australia policy, arc of special interest.. On the subject of alien immigration Mr. Hughes said that Australia had sought and obtained the recognition of what was known as that most necessary White Australia policy. (Cheers.) Australians believed in their race, in themselves, and in their trust for the future. This great trust was safe. The race equality clause had undergone amendments from every quarter, and fir-ally it was reduced to only those aliens who were now admitted. But, speaking for Australia, he had told the conference that lie would not accept even that. It was due to Australia, the House, and himself to say what he had said to Baron Makino, the Japanese representative, on this matter of racial difference. Baron Makino said: "We are a proud people, who have fought at your side, and it is intolerable that we should not b e regarded as/your equals!" "I," recounted Mr. Hughes, "told him that there was nobody who more than I recognised the spirit" and perseverance of the Jap'anese and all that they had done in the war, and I hoped that our people would always remain fast friends. I admitted that we found ourselves hounded hy the sane ocean in like circumstances, but that while we were friends a man in ordinary life did not invite all his friends to his house, and that even when he did invite them they did not all remain permauent residents therein. The ideals of our races were different. We did not venture to sav that our Tace was greater than theirs, hut we contented ourselves by saying they were different. We must tread' the roads as under those impulses and instincts which came from history to our separate peoples, yet we could remain perfect friends for ever and ever." With regard to the indemnity, said the Prime Minister, Australia's claim was £354,000,000 £300,000,000 for the actual war debt, and £54,000,000 for the capitalised value of war pensions and repatriation and loss to civilians. At one stroke £300,000,000 was struck out. The cost of the war to Britain, which was excluding the comparatively small cost which was capitalised value of pensions and repayment for damage to property—the whole thing was wiped out, so it was a verv serious thing for Australia and Britain when the 14 points were accepted. He. had been questioned regarding his championing of Australia's claims—not by a Frenchman—and lie had replied that if it lay between the slavery of Germanyand the slavery of, Australia the penalty must not fall upon Australia. Germany had been blood guilty. Australia was inno"cent. Finally the position was that Australia's claim had been cut down from £354,000,000 to £54.000,000 or thereabouts. He did not. know how much Britain was to get. Practically {he effect of the acceptance by the Council of Four of that basis of reparation was that five-sixths of the great burden Australia had incurred she must herself bear. It was provided that up to the end of April, 1021, Germany was to pay £1.000,000,000. From that thousand millions important reductions had to he made—the cost of the army of occupation, cost of food and raw materials to Germany. £100,000,000 to Belgium,, and other costs. However, they could not expect to he available for'distribution to all belligerents anything more than £700,000,000. Consequently, when he was asked how much Australia would actually receive, candidly he did not know. She would get her share. •Probably, or .possibly, at the end of April. 1-021. She might get anything of from five to eight millions. What would follow that he did not know, as the remaining payments were spread over a period of 30 years. How much Germany could pay he did not know.