TASKS OF TO-DAY.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 February 1922, Page 5

TASKS OF TO-DAY.

SPEECH BY THE PREMIER

PROBLEMS OF EUROPE.

THE IRISH QUESTION.

By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright

Received Feb. 8, 8.20 p.m. ‘ London, Feb. 7,

Speaking in the House of Commons, Mr. Lloyu. George said the Washington Conference had been one of the greatest in the world’s history.

“Our policy towards France,” he said, “is one of friendship and co-operation in the interests of peace. Our purposes are alike, but our methods do not always agree, and that is where discussion comes in. We have given France the feeling that she is not isolated. Germany must be made to feel that a policy of revenge will not only bring in France, but other lands as well. By this means the revenge sentiment will be discouraged at the outset.” The Geddes economy report was not yet ready. Economy was obviously the most *i/iportant subject for the present session and the Government would, at the earliest moment, submit estimates showing the conclusions they had come to.

The Government was willing to meet the legitimate national aspirations of Egypt and prepare to abandon the protectorate, but it must be on clear, fundamental conditions. Egypt was a corridor country; it was the highway between the east and west pjrts of the Empire. During the war over a million Australian, New Zealand and Indian troops passed through Egypt. VALUE OF EGYPT.

He added: “Supposing Egypt had been an independent country which was hostile, supposing it had been neutral country over which we had no control; I don’t use the word disastrous, but it would have divided the British Empire in a way which would have impaired enormously the strength of that Empire. (Cheers).* If Egypt had been independent it would have been overrun by the Turkish armies led by Germans. (Cheers). A very calamitous thing to the British Empire, her Allies and •Egypt herself. It was British and Australian troops who protected Egypt and without their protection Egypt would have been either a Turkish or German province.” When General Auenby arrived and the Government discussed the situation with him he would be in a better position to inform the House on the subject. A Bill, he said, would be introduced in a few days to deal with the Irish Provisional Government. The first meeting between two Irish leaders was a success, but the second was not. That was all that had occurred up to the present, “but don’t let us rush in at the first quarrel and take sides.” . The boundary question would be considered only after the constitution was framed and incorporateu in an Act of Parliament. The Government, was prepared to stand or fall by the treaty. Lord Robert Cecil (Unionist) asked for a statement regarding Austria. I Mr. Lloyd George said the position was very bad. There was a danger of a compiete collapse. Britain and her Allies were considering can be done to support Austria. Until the United States Senate removed the difficulty in the way of advances upon Austria’s national security Britain and France proposed to make advances to Austria. AN ANGRY SCENE. Mr.' R. McNeill (Coalition Unionist) later aroused an angry scene while calling attention to the differences between Sir James Craig and Mr. Michael Collins. He said: “I wonder whether Mr. Lloyd George told one story to one set of negotiators and another story to the other, because I remember in 1916 he did a similar thing to Lord Carson and Mr. Redmond.” Mr. Lloyd George rose and heatedly exclaimed that this was not true. Mr. Lloyd George added that Lord Carson and Mr. Redmond were together and what was said was in the presence of 'both. Mr. McNeill: “That is not the story I was told by the gentlemen when they came back.” Mr. Lloyd George: “I have se<|n Lord Carson many times since and he never made the charge.” Mr. McNeill: “I have also seen him. Mr. Lloyd George angrily retorted: “I never have been charged with dishonorable conduct before.” ' The matter then dropped. Mr. Jack Jones (Labor) said the Labor Party favored mending the House of Lords by ending it. Oblivion was its only place, particularly when they had a Lord Chancellor who was a hooligan with a halo. Mr. J. R. Clynes (Labor Party s leader) admitted the advantage accruing to the Washington Conference over naval disarmament. Nothing, however, had been done in regard to land forces. He hoped Washington was only the beginning; he wanted internat final chinery of peace in order to adjust differences as they arose on a basis of peace instead of war. He wished to know if the talked of reform of the House of Lords would be in the direction of increasing its powers, in view of Labor legislation.