BRITISH POLITICS.

Hokitika Guardian, 31 October 1919, Page 1

BRITISH POLITICS.

(By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) AUSTRALIAN & N.Z. CAJU.fC ASSOCIATION) (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.j

LONDON, October 28

Mr Ilewart moving the second readings of the War Emergency- Laws Continuance Bill, exjilained was intended to continue certain parts of the Defence !of the Realm Act, and other wartime regulations, but to abolish the passport regulations power of billeting soldiers prohibition of processions r.nd imprisonment without trial. The administrators' in Ireland advised in view of the present * state of affairs that the scope of the oris gihal IBill should not yet be diminished. | Criticism taking tho line that the regulations are not longer necessary, culminated in Mr Banbury’s amendment to adjourn the debate to enable Government to introduce a more acceptable measure. Hon. Bonar Law pointed out that peace would probably be ratified in February or March, and possibly would he ratified before the next session, therefore Government could not take the risk of postponement. The sudden withdrawal of the regulations would ■ result in chaos. The Bill operates for ' a maximum of a year. The abandonment of the regulations would cause serious coal shortage, and prices of food and coal would rise enormously. The country was making marvellous strikes towards the resumption of normal eon- , ditions. The Bill was- necessary for j the protection of the trade. The House ' must make up its mind whether the j clatter outside suggesting the Govern- ! men had lost its confidence, was true. j Tho amendment was defeated by 283 to 77.