Hague Conference.

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at on 26 July 1922.

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Photo of Mr Rhys Davies Mr Rhys Davies , Westhoughton

The hon. Member understands economics so well that I am sure he could settle the Bolshevist problem in a very short time. We have been told in the discussion that the Government, through the Prime Minister, desire to bury the past. That is a very noble sentiment. We would all like to bury the past. The past of some people is better than the past of others, but we would all like to bury the past. But I think the Government ought to be reminded occasionally of one or two things that have transpired in the past. I cannot see in any statement that has been made this evening on behalf of the Government that our representatives have in the least changed their attitude towards the Soviet Government. Why is it that the British Government affects to be more moderate and more modified in its attitude towards Russia to-day than hitherto? Not because our Government has come to believe that the Russians have changed their attitude, but because of the statement made by the Prime Minister the other day that you have to accept the fact, whether you like it or not, that there are 3,000,000 men in the Bolshevist army on the frontiers. That is the thing, unfortunately, that has convinced our Government. I am one of those who believe that we ought to have good relationship and goodwill between peoples, not because peace is cheaper than war, but because business, trade and employment in all countries will be better if we establish peace and goodwill all round.

We are asked whether the Soviet Government will give up the idea of communism or socialism in favour of capitalism. That is one problem before the House this evening. I am not enamoured of the Soviet régime. But I am confident of one thing, that if the statesmen of this or of any other country had been thrown up as leaders in Russia after the War, after two or three civil wars, after famine and pestilence, I am not sure that even the Prime Minister would have conducted himself much better than the people who have controlled Russia during the last two or three years. I dislike those references to bad Government in Russia. What about our own Government? Under very much better auspices what have they done? We have in this country, under the delights and pleasantries of capitalism, people in Lancashire, which I know very well, and people in South Wales, absolutely on the border of starvation. That is happening under all the glories of capitalism and then we are told that all the trials and troubles of Russia arise because of socialism and communism. Socialism and communism have never yet been tried in any country in the world. They have never had an opportunity, not even in Russia. I am hoping that some day they may have an opportunity, and then the hon. Member for Mossley will presumably be in opposition still. I trust, however, after the criticism that has been levelled that these Conferences will continue. It is a good thing for representatives of our Governments to see, face to face, the men who have been painted in so much red by the Press of this and other countries. It is a step forward, and I was glad to hear the Prime Minister say that the representatives of the Bolshevik Government were as intelligent as any others. Imagine the discovery, that a Bolshevik can be as intelligent as a Welshman! It is a strange discovery. I trust we shall continue the Conferences, and I should like to know what is the next step we can take, because if we can secure trade with Russia, the engineers in Woolwich, on the Clyde and in Manchester will find some work to do. It is the duty of statesmen and of the Government to sink their prejudices about forms of Government. To them the comfort and prosperity of the people of their own country ought to be their first consideration.