THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1920, Page 3

THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT.

HOME RULE FOR SCOTLAND. (Imperial News Service). (Received this day at 11.25 a.m.) LONDON, April 16. In the Commons Mr Joseph Johnstone in moving the second reading of the Scottish Home Rule Bill claimed that Scotland was as much entitled to a Parliament as Ulster. He emphasised that nobody in Scotland desired: to interfere with the supremacy of the Imperial Parliament. Mr Donald McLean supporting the Bill said the devolution would enable the Imperial Parliament to attend to imperial questions more closely.

i The Secretary for Scotland admitted that the movement had gained ground during recent years. All successful Scottish Commoners were pledged to Homo Rule at the last election. The principle of Home Rule for Scotland far outweighed any objections that could be advanced. The Bill was talked out.

MINISTRY OF MUNITIONS. (Imperial News Service). (Received this day at 8.40 a.m.) LONDON, April 16. In the Commons, Mr Hope in introducing the Ministry of Munitions estimates, stated at the end of the financial year the Ministry should have handed the Exchequer one hundred and ninety million sterling for relief of the taxpayer, and reduction of the debt, i Forty millions sterling worth of stores in France had been sold, while twentyfive millions still remained. As re-

gards the War Office’s contract with Australia which extended to a year after the war, supplies were still coming in. There had been a profit of one hundred and fifty millions upon all articles, excepting wool. Under the wool contract for the year ended March 31st, 1919, the profit was about three

million for Britain, two million tor Australia, and over six hundred thousand for New Zealand, and for the current year he hoped the figures would be doubled. As regards the later period, the whole series of transactions would undoubtedly prove the most substantial part of which will go to Australia and New Zealand under terms of the contract. The M inistry was not being turned into a Ministry of supply and would end by the statutory date,

After strong criticism on alleged extravagance by the Department, a vote of twenty-seven millions for the Ministry of Munitions was temporarily withdrawn, Government hoping to submit revised estimates in June,

BRITISH 'BUDGET. (Received this dav, at 9.30 a.m.) LONDON, April 18

The keenest interest is evidenced in to-morrow)s Budget speech. The expenditure is estimated at 1187 millions, being 279 millions above future normal years and six times pre-war expenditure. It is predicted #there will be a super tax on incomes and that death duties will be increased, the graduated tax on profits replacing the excess profits tax.