PROTAGONISTS IN PARLIAMENT

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 14, 17 January 1924, Page 7

PROTAGONISTS IN PARLIAMENT

BALDWIN MINISTRY DOOMED

FATE OF PREFERENCE PROPOSALS

LLOYD GEORGE WISHES LABOUR LEADER WELL

(UNITED FRBSS ASSOCIAIION.—COPTRI^HT.) (REUTEU'S TELBGBAM.)

(KEUTER'S TBLEGrUY.)

(Received 17th January, 10 a.m.)

LONDON, 16th January. ' In the House of Commons,- Mr; Mitchell Ranks (Con., Swindon), in moving the A-ddrcss-in-Reply, opened with a reference to the resolutions of the Imperial Conference. These, he said, did, in some sort, constitute an. obligation towards the Dominions.

Lord Apsley (Con., Southampton).seconded the motion.

MR. MACDONALD'S SURVEY

Mr. Macdonald (Lab.) described the King's Speech as a curious miscellaneous collection of odds and ends, many of them items borrowed from the Labour programme. He said that the prospect of a change of Government had done more 'to bring the influence of Britain into the minds of. dominant Continental statesmen than twelve months, of the last

Government.

The state of.Europe was far nearer what it, was"in 1914 than anyone cared to think about, with rival armies and rival nationalist policies, and nations that were Allies glaring at each other in only semi-concealed -hostility. He urged the necessity of bringing the solemn influence of Britain to bear in order that a new leaf might be turned. He j advocated a more skilful handling of diplomacy, and, at the same time a friendly but firm and emphatic assertion ot our own interests.

IMPERIAL CONFERENCE

He protested against 'the doctrine that iarliament was under an obligation to ■carry out the decisions of the Imperial Conference as being subversive of the rights of self-government, which we would never surrender. Every pledge given by Ministers at the Imperial Conference that matters should be brought bexore the House of Commons would be fulfilled to the last letter. Tlie fact that the Government told the Conference that they intended to submit tlie prelerence proposals to Parliament surely meant that Parliament was absolutely free to carry or reject these proposals. He contended that the Government's proposals to tax food for'the'purpose'of Dominion Preference was a very fundamental departure from the existing fiscal system, which constituted another reaspit for refusing the Government confidence.

APPEAL FOR FAIR PLAY

Mr Macdonald inquired pointedly whether or not Mr. Baldwin had'abandoned lils Protection policy. Lie was not sure that he Was sorry, that no party had a majority, because he was not at all sure that the practical working out of •minority Government might not bo a good exercise for the independent intelligence ot members of all parties. Ho urged that m the unparalleled political situation the House should not merely pursue old-fashioned party tactics He said that no party could take the responsibly to-day without feeling that it would rather avoid it if it coufd, because the state of Europe and 'affairs at Home were so bad. But the nation's Government had got to be carried on. Plnis erial cries: "The lung's Gorem-

Mr. Macdonafcff "I do not make a distinction ot that character." (Labour cheers.) ■ l Whoever carried on government he continued nnder ■ these circumstances, was entitled to appeal to the fair play and sportsmanlike instincts of Englishmen So long as they-did their "duty and helped on the people of the country, they were entitled to appeal to the support of the House. c

THE LLOYD GEORGE VIEW

Mr. Lloyd George snid that the Dominions had never claimed that any Government had the right to commit the Parliament of Britain to arty policy any more than the Conference had the riMit to commit the Parliament of the Dominions. f He was very glad to see Mr. Bruce s speech declaring that he had no grievance against Britain, if .Parliament could not honour the Government's decisions.

If was also important for the country to realise, as Mr. Bruce' said, that preference did not depend entirely ori duties. Mr. Lloyd George said that .lie had always thought that more practical advantage could be given to trade with tho Dominions- by means of improved transport than by duties. He hoped that the next Government would thereby be-able Id do a. k'rtmt deal with Dominions.

ASSERTING THE EMPIRE

He charged the French with furnishing motley to foster the Separatist movement. He predicted that, if tho school of French opinion favouring' the .annexation of the Rhineland succeeded, there wolild be inevitable conflict, j..

He wished Mr. Macdonald-well in the undertaking of Government, and hoped that whatever Government came into power, it would assert the authority and influence .to which the Empire was entitled by its power and sacrifices.

CO-OPERATION SUGGESTED

Mr. Baldwin dealt with the future Conservative attitude. When they relinquished power, he said, they would engage in no factions opposition, but would, endeavour to help, such causes as unemployment and agriculture. He Suggested that where none of the three Parties could independently govern, a found table conference should' be held as regards the agricultural problem, with a view of arriving at some common measure. After undertaking to furnish information on the Rhineland Separatist movement at the earliest available moment, he turned^ to the question of the Imperial Conference priiposals. lie tinrii^lit that Mr. Lloyd 'George' had stated The mire gospel of. the matter quite correctly, when he declared that any 'Conference reanhiticiiiK were naturally subject to. Parliamentary ratification here "as" in the Dominions. The position was thai if Parliament had refused to ratify tlie pivpHwah. he submitted that as Prime Miii'sier he would have liitd to vc<si"'n ,U KiiyM. L-c iaek of v.iclo-n. if l',-ifii,. merit later icl'uscd to ratify the pro-

posals, but it would be no breach of faith.

-. Mr. Baldwin informed the House that the proposed American Liquor Treaty,' on which the principal parties were agreed,'was being examined by .the Dominions. It provided that the United States should have the right to search to a certain distance outside the threer mila limit and that British vessels should be permitted to carry sealed liquor into American harbours for use on the return voyage.

He dwelt optimistically on the appointment of, the Allied Eipert Committees, which was the first progressive step made in Europe for a whole year, owing to American participation and the meaM afforded to provide remedial measures for German finances.

The House adjourned.