REPARATIONS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1922, Page 5

REPARATIONS.

THE POLICY OF BRITAIN. PLEA FOR A DISCUSSION. POINTS TO BE SETTLED. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Dec. 14, 7.45 p.m. London. Dec. 13. Speaking in the House of Lords, Lord Birkenhead asked whether, before definite commitments relating to reparations were made to the Paris conference, opportunity would be given to Parliament to discuss the Government’s policy. It would be very difficult to recommend to the people any proposal that Britain should remit the debts of France and Italy while Britain was forced to pay her American debts. He strongly urged that the Government, in the event of Germany defaulting, should not participate in the occupation of the Ruhr and similar measures. He cordially approved of Mr. Bonar Law’s policy. Viscount Grey said that if the Paris conference failed Europe would take a further step towards collapse, while our good relations with France would be greatly imperilled. If we remitted the Allied debts we would be gainers, subject to steps being taken to secure the security of Europe, including the strengthening of the League of Nations, the inclusion of Germany therein, and a reduction bf armaments undef -the Washington Treaty, Britain could not refuse to consider questions of inter-Allied debts until France was prements under the Washington Treaty. Brireparations, inter-Allied debts and disarmament must be considered as a whole. He did not believe France’s security would be attained by the occupation of the Ruhr.