FOREIGN POLICY.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1922, Page 5

FOREIGN POLICY.

ATTITUDE OF BRITAIN.

PACT WITH FRANCE.

REBUILDING EUROPE

Telegraph.—Press Assn v-jyr'ght.

Received Feb. 8, 7.30 p.m.

London, Feb. 7. In the of Lords Lord Curzon (Secretary for Foreign Affairs) said that the Government was prepared to give France the assurance approved by Parliament in 1919. It would be a great mistake to extend it into an offensive and defensive alliance. He anticipated that the results of the Genoa Conference would be as far-reach-ing as those of the Washington Conference. Lord Reading, Viceroy, is sending a survey of the situation in India which would be submitted to Parliament.

Referring to the Washington Conference, he said the quadruple pact ought to make war in the Pacific impossible. France had a legitimate cause for anxiety regarding ‘both reparations and her own safety. The Government was prepared to give her the same assurance which Parliament had approved in 1919, but it would be a great mistake to extend the same into an offensive alliance.

Lord Curzon anticipated that the Genoa Conference would prdve a great constructive effort in the direction of the economic reconstruction of Europe. He believed even more valuable results would accrue therefrom owing to the imposition on all participants of an undertaking to refrain from propaganda subversive to the order of the existing political systems of other countries, and also from aggression against their neighbors. He believed the results in Europe might equal Washington’s results in the Pacific.

Lord Curzon added that the Government intended to submit its policy regarding the reform of the House of Lords in the shape of resolutions. Lord Buckmaster declared the King’s Speech indicated that the Government was resolved on a general election and he welcomed such a prospect. The debate was adjourned.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.