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Taranaki Daily News, 14 February 1920, Page 5

HOME POLITICS.

GOVERNMENT CRITICISED.

PEACE TREATY PROBLEMS. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received' Feb. 13, 10.45 p.m. London, Feb. 13. In the House of Commons, Mr. George Thome (Liberal) moved an amendment to the Address-in-Reply, regretting the Government had not recognised many impracticabilities in connection with the Peace Treaty, and had not appreciated the grave dangers to the economic position at Home and abroad by delay in restoring settled, conditions in Europe and the Near East. Sir Donald Mac Lean (Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party) quoted General Smuts' message, in which he said the teal work of making peace would only begin after the Peace Treaty was signed, and he expressed the opinion that the whole experience of the last month had shown how substantially accurate was General Smuts' estimate of the situation.

BLACK LIST DEPRECATED. Sir Donald Mac Lean appealed to the Government to take a long and states-man-like view, and, further, to fix the amount of the German indemnity. He deprecated the length of the German Black List. He foreshadowed a year's international litigation in this connection, and he urged there was no hope of a sound economic future for Europe without free trade all round. A start should be made with new States in Centra! Europe. TASKS ABROAD. Lord Robert Cecil (Coalition Unionist) urged the impracticability of at present undertaking the revision of the Treaty, although some of the terms would have to be revised later. Discussing Egypt, the Middle East, Mesopotamia, and Armenia, he said the situation was serious, chiefly owing to delay in dealing with the Turkish question. He deprecated further delay, and suggested the League of Nations should publicly debate the Russian situation. The League should also send two International Missions to Russia to ascertain what was going on there; secondly to define provisional boundaries between Russia and the Border States. HELPING STRICKEN EUROPE, At question time, Mr. Austen Chamberlain (Chancellor of the Exchequer) announced the Government had informed the United States that, besides £12,500,000 voted for the current financial year for relief in Central Europe, the British Government was prepared to contribute a further sum not exceeding half the contribution of the United States, and not exceeding £10,000,000, which would be used to provide British foodstuffs, raw material, and other essentials, and to pay freights on goods carried in British ships. The Canadian Government intimated its desire to contribute. (Cheers.) The Gbfcrnment was confident oilier Allied and neutral Governments would co-operate.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. I

A CRITICAL SESSION. THE COALITION ON TRIAL. London, Feb. 10. The Press regards the new session gravely, almost apprehensively. The Times, in a leader, declares that the session is of critical importance. Parliament is indeed on its trial. Great issues are at stake. The maintenance of British credit abroad and the preservation of social order at home depend on the restoration of the finances. The Daily News says that it is the most stupendous session in modern history. We are faced with economic chaos in Europe, grave economic and financial problems at home and abroad, the Irish question and the peace treaties. There is acute tension in the Cabinet, and a reshuffling of portfolios seems imperative. The suggestion that Mr. Lloyd George should retire for a period of rest was rejected because it meant a death-blow to j the Government. The Daily Mail states that the country is ready to face any situation or make any sacrifice, but does not trust the present Government. The Daily Herald remarks that the Coalition is daily becoming more unpopular, and the only hope lies with Labor.—Aus.-N,2. Cable Assn.