ANGLO-FRENCH PACT.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 January 1922, Page 5

ANGLO-FRENCH PACT.

ATTITUDE OF NEW ZEALAND. STATEMENT BY THE PREMIER. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Jan. 25. A recent cablegram stated that the British Government would be unable to complete the new pact with France without consulting the Dominions. Mr. H. E. Holland (Buller) asked in the House if the Prime Minister had received any communication on the subject and if he would undertake to place his proposals before Parliament for ratification before making any agreement on behalf of New Zealand. The Prime Minister replied that he did not think it was intended that the Dominions should .rign anything in the nature of a treaty. Members would recollect that the Dominion Prime Ministers had signed the peace treaty, but 'this document became practically null and void owing to the refusal of the United States legislature to ratify it. He had received a communication from Mr. Lloyd George, but he did not know precisely what form the agreement was going to take and he could not make anv definite statement to the House. it had 'been stated, added the Prime Minister, that the Dominions might or might not subscribe to the agreement, according to their individual wishes. He regarded that suggestion as loose and dangerous. He was strongly of opinion that when the opportunity offered —that might not be for a year or two — something should be done to guard against divided counsels within the Empire. If the Empire was to stand it must be united.