tary of State for Foreign Affairs St his attention has been called to the effect on the prestige of the Great Powers caused by the need for constant reference to the views of the smaller nations with insignificant interests in China; and whether, under the circumstances, His Majesty's Government will consider without delay the desirability. of acting in the Far East, either independently or in ce-operation with, the Great Powers concerned only Sir-Austen Chamberlain. While T am aware of the difficulty that might on occasion arise in securing unanimity among the Powers having Treaty relations with China, there are-obvious objections. to His Ma-Jeety's Government taking any step which would impair the soliarity of the diplomatic body at Peking, or which might be regard-Jed as being contrary to the Washington Treaties.
The Tariff Conference Mr, Barker asked the Secretary lof State for Foreign Affairs when [ther there has been any discussion at Peking with the de facto Government of China regarding the possibility of the Tariff Conference reassembling on July 23, 1926, or Jo subsequent date?
Mr, Locker Latpson. The forleign delegates attended an informal Imecting on July 23 with the new [Chinese Tariff Conference delegation recently appointed. The possibility lof the Conference reassembling was discussed, but no definite date was fixed.
Mr, Wallhead asked the Secretary Jof State for Foreign Affairs what] is the position in regard to the Tariff Conference in China; _what is the attitude of His Majesty's Government towards its continuance; Jand whether any consultations have [taken place with other Governments jas to the advisability of continuing, lor other wit Mr, Locker Lampson: In reply] to the first and second parts of the question, I would refer the Hon, Member to' the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for South-East Essex (Mr, Looker) on June 7, last. As regards the third part, I would refer him the answer given to the hon. Member for Abertillery (Mr, Bark-for) on July 29,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.