28 JULY 1939, Page 3

Recent weeks have revealed, on Wednesdays, the growing interest of

the House in the Colonies. There is no doubt that there is a feeling of considerable alarm as to conditions in many parts of the Empire. Mr. Chamberlain's announce- ment that, before the Session ends, he would give a decision on the possibility of setting up a permanent Parliamentary body to deal with colonial affairs gave satisfaction. It is surprising that Ministerialists should leave so much of the questioning of Mr. MacDonald to the Opposition. It will be a real disaster if British administration of the Colonial Empire should become yet another weapon for Party warfare.