BRITISH COAL INDUSTRY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 8 December 1927, Page 5

BRITISH COAL INDUSTRY

LABOUR’S CENSURE MOTION. BALDWIN’S REPLY TO MACDONALD. [By Cable — Press Assn. — Copyright.) (Received 8, 1.25 p.m.) _ Loudon, Dec. 7. In the House of Commons Mr Ramsay MacDonald moved to protest that during the censure motion on Nov* ember 16 Mr Baldwin deliberately evaded any defence or explanation of tho Cabinet's inaction in the coal trade crisis, which tho House declares demands an autlioiativo statement by the Prime Miuistir. Mr MacDonald said that Hansard offered no precedent for a Prime Minister not replying immediately to motions of censure. Labour’s indictment was against the whole Government as well as against Mr Baldwin personally. The previous motion put the whole Government in the dock for tho present disastrous position of the coal industry, .'for which the Government was largely responsible. Mr Baldwin had insulted the Opposition by failure to reply. NO NOVELTY. Mr Baldwin, replying, said it could not be held that the Prime Minister was bound to answer every motion in the form of a censure motion which had become a general method of seeking an opportunity for debate. The opposition on November 16 showed dissatisfaction by preventing any; other speaker being heard. There was no novelty in that methodi He once took part in a similar demonstration of wmlcu he was heartily ashamed next day. He had also learned suca scenes did not increase the party ’» popularity in the electorate. He thouht the present motion showed Mr MacDonald s realisation of the fact that disturbances achieved nothing—. no party was willing to yield to clamour. AWAITS RESULTS WITH CONFIDENCE. Mr Baldwin went on: “In arguing the previous debate 1 mouglit Sir P. Cunliffe-Lister should make the first general reply as he was able to answer most points. 1 asked Sir A. P. Steel-Maitland to answer particular points on unemployment. My own first intention was to wind up the debate later, but 1 decided to give place to Mr E, Lane Fox, who lias participated in tho coal negotiations for three years. Mr Lane-Fox is siiortly giving up his portfolio to undertake a difficult task in India therefore I felt it would only be fair to give him a last opportunity of speaking from the front Bench. For thut reason alone I decided not to speak myself. This House is now asked to censure me—-I await the result with confi-dence.-—(A.P.A. and Sydney “Sun” cable.)