EMPIRE AFFAIRS.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 October 1921, Page 5

EMPIRE AFFAIRS.

DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT. ANGLO-JAPANESE TREATY. PROBLEM OF WORLD PEACE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Premier laid on the table of the House to-day the report of the recent Imperial Conference, intimating that he did so for the purpose of giving members an opportunity to discuss the proceedings at the conference and the speech he delivered last week.

Mr. T. M. Wilford (Leader of the Opposition), in opening the debate, said he felt that the great thing about the Imperial Conference was that it made, possible the Disarmament Conference, and if it had done nothing else the Imperial Conference had justified its existence. He was gratified that the conference had decided unanimously that the Anglo-Japanese Alliance should be brought into line with the League of Nations. The next point upon which the conference was to be congratulated was on bringing about an atmosphere favorable for a settlement of the Irish trouble. Finally’, the conference had enabled the statesmen of the Dominions to arrive at comprehension of the principles of foreign policy. He questioned whether the time was not coming when there would be stationed in London a representative of New Zealand to keep in absolute touch with foreign affairs. BRITAIN’S DUTY. Dealing in detail with the Anglo-Jap-anese treaty, Mr. Wilford referred to. the clause calling on either party to support the other in time of war, and said that if to-morrow Japan suffered an unprovoked attack or aggressive action in regard to. her territorial rights or interests, Britain would have to do as Japan asked. He quoted Japan’s immediate decision to join the recent war under the clause he had read'. England called, and Japan responded, and that showed clearly Japan’s idea of the meaning of the treaty. The maintenance of that treaty was Japan’s foreign policy. How did CTiina regard the treaty? Personally he thought the trend was for China and America to become associated, and to leave Japan with Britain. All through the years, from the time of Mackinlay, America had been winning the confidence of China. Japan, of late years, had decreased to some extent American prestige, and that was a thing that was hitting America to-day. It behoved every delegate at the Disarmament Conference not to look at China aS the dog in the tennis court, lut as a great, big potential power that has to be watched, nurtured, and carefully attended. If the Disarmament Conference could bring about an alliance between Japan. China, America and Britain the peace of the world would be assured. Mr. Wilford answered his own question as to how the mad race for armament was to be stopped by Saying it could only be done by nationalising production and the prevention of the production of munitions for profit.

GERMAN REPARATIONS. Mr. Wilford discussed German reparation shortly, and asked: “Can Germany pay those reparations?” The Prime Minister had suggested that New Zealand’s share would be used to pay our share of the upkeep of the navy, but personally he thought something more solid should be given. The Chatham should be returned and New Zealand should pay to the Admiralty the amount it now cost for the upkeep of the vessel. He had always been against a local navy, and he was glad to see that the Government was abandoning the idea. The speaker said he could not leave the general subject without saying that he was a believer in the League of Nations, for its foundation was arbitration. He hoped the Dominions would work together at the Disarmament Conference, but what he wondered was whether the nations themselves could control the makers of munitions. Finally, he asked the Government to shape its financial course without hoping for German reparations. If these were forthcoming, so much the better, but he had his doubts. LABOR LEADER ON TREATIES. Mr. H. E. Holland (Leader of the Labor Party) said the outstanding feature of the debate was that no one in the House knew anything about the paper laid on the table. The Prime Minister’s speech had left members absolutely in the dark, except that the country had been told that the country was committed to pay its share rar certain warships. He contrasted the Government’s action with regard to the Imperial Conference with its attitude towards the Racing Commission’s report. He commented on the fact that it suddenly had been discovered that, contrary to the opinion of the British Crown law offices, the Anglo-Japanese treaty had not come to an end. He contended that the treaty was purely a war treaty, and therefore the working people were against its continuance. If a referendum of the people was taken on the subject, the treaty would not be renewed. Mr. Holland discussed at length the history of the concessions obtained by the Western Powers in China, forcing of the opium traffic on China-, and the promotion of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. When it was first formed Japan had a watching brief in the Far East and Britain was required to keep out of the ring while Japan fought Russia. The 1905 treaty made an important departure. since it provided that if either party became involved in a war in defence of its territorial rights or special interests, the other party should come to its assistance. If Japan became involved in war to maintain her stranglehold ■ on Korea Britain would have to go to her assistance. The 1911 renewal provided that should either Power make a general arbitration treaty with another Potver the other party should not be compelled to assist in the event of war with that party. The Anglo-American peace treaty in 1914 provided for reference of any dispute to a tribunal, but • after such reference the parties should ■ be free to do as they pleased. AMERICA AND JAPAN. America saw in Japan's hold on Chinese interests the making of a formidable rival, and it was a struggle between Japanese and American capitalists that was leading to the abyss. Mr. Holland denounced the arrangement under which the German rights in Shantung were ceded to Japan, instead ot being handed back to China. British diplomats had secretly pledged Britain Uua trcuasautLaa, which

a violation of. the Anglo-Japanese treaty, which guaranteed the integrity of China. That was the reason why there should be no secrecy in foreign diplomacy. It had been argued that there was not the slightest possibility of Britain being drawn into war against America with Japan, but he that those who knew history, and rht . terms of the treaty, and the terms of the American arbitration treaty, knew it was possible for Britain to be drawn into war with America. Britain could also be drawn into war with France or some other nation. Those who had the Interests of the British’ people at heart should hestirate long before they give a vote for a treaty which would inspire the possibility of the Empire being brought into a war on the side of Japan, or into a war on the side of any nation. Britain should have informed .Japan that the present treaty was a violation of the covenant of the league of Nations, ar. I that while Britain was anxious to have treaties that would promote peace with Japan, China and, other nations, she did not want treaties that would make for war.

The Hon. C. J. Part, referring to the Anglo-Japanese treaty/ said he thought the Premier represented the. hulk of opinion on this subject in New Zealand. There was much to be said in favor of the treaty so long as we had the right to say who should or who should not enter the country. That point had’ been laid down by the Premier as a. cardinal point in our policy, and that wa< provided for. The Premier did right in seeking to maintain, friendly relations with .Japan. 'Die Disarmament Conference about to be held at tv ashington would be the most momentous event in the world's history since the v.a’’, and everyone must wish it complete success. The only alternative to disarmament was the re-building of warships on a scale which would prove a tremendous strain upon the finances o? the Empire. We would do it, but so great would be the burden that everyone must pray that it may be averted. I At ld-40 p.m. the debate was adjourned and made the first order of the day £or to-»aexTQW. The House then ro««.