§ 25. Mr. HARDIEasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the Government anticipates that the Four-Power Treaty, which provides means for peaceful adjustment of questions arising between the Pacific Powers, will not be renewed in 1931; and are the present safeguards now considered adequate by the Government?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am unable to anticipate a decision which will be taken in regard to a question not arising until 1933, i.e., 10 years from the date of the deposit of ratifications, but nothing has so far occurred to suggest to me any doubts as to its value or to foreshadow its non-renewal. I am not clear as to the meaning of the last part of the question, but if the hon. Member is referring to safeguards for peace, the Government believe that the treaty will facilitate the peaceful settlement of any difference that may arise between the signatories.
§ Mr. HARDIEConsidering that the Washington agreement for restricting armaments makes warfare in the Pacific very unlikely during the next seven years in which the agreement will run, would it not be better to observe the status quo rather than invite war by going on with Singapore?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINSingapore is not proposed as a means of waging war, offensive or defensive, but as a necessary link in Imperial communications.
§ Mr. HARDIEWhile that may be the point of view on those benches you have to remember that there are other people in the Pacific who do not have that point of view, and it is difference in point of view that leads to war.
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThat is exactly why the hon. Member should be very careful as to the colour he gives to these unfriendly suggestions.
§ Mr. HARDIEWhat is the difference between your answer and my question so far as colour is concerned, since you intimate that there is no chance and yet you deny the right to other people??
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe matter had better be deferred till the Navy Estimates.