Mar. 14, In the House of Commons, replying to Commander Kenworthy (La-labour), Sir Austen Chamberlain said the Municipality of the International] Settlement at Shanghai had not Joffered to pay any part of the cost Jof the Shanghai Defences Force, nor had he approached the Municipality Jon the subject. All the Powers in-defence of their subjects and doubt-fess all of them had incurred expense in so doing but as for as ho knew none of them had approached) ithe Municipality.
Commander Kenworthy urged that "this very wealthy community which! paid no British taxes" should be approached to meet some part of the cost.
Col. Josiah Wedgwood (Labour), declared that the cost to the British taxpayer was going far to exceed the cost to other nationalities eon-
Jcerned. We were bearing the brunt Sir Austen in his reply emphasized that the steps we had taken were for the protection of British nationals.
Mr, H. M, Looker (Conservative), asked whether (1) the position of [His Majesty's Government as a lease-Iholder from the Chinese Government lof tand which comprised the British leoncessions in China, (2) the position of sub-lessees of such land from the British Government and (3). the rights of both parties under the eases would be in anywise affected the agreement entered into at Hankow and Kiukiang or by any arrangements contemplated in re-Jgard to other British concessions in China Sir Austen Chamberlain replied {that His Majesty's Government were now examining the whole question the object of ensuring that the interests of the sub-lessees should not be prejudiced by any arrange-fients that might be entered into, The Kivkiang Compensation Replying to Mr. H. W. Looker Sir Austen said the Government would distribute among-the Britistrsubjeots fwcho had sustained damage owing' to Hooting.at Kiukiang-the money. paid
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.